Jeb Dunnuck
98 Points
The 2016 Poggio al Granchio Brunello di Montalcino is aromatically expressive of perfectly ripe cherry, sweet herbs, dried flowers, and stony earth. There is generous purity of fruit on the palate, with mineral-rich earth, and it had the most balanced and harmonious structure in the lineup on this tasting, with present but fine-grained tannin. I love this wine for its darker mineral edge in counterpoint with crunchy and ripe fruit. It is a super-pleasurable wine right out of the gate and will continue to be so over the next 20 or more years.
Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
Aromas of roasted coffee bean, licorice and menthol form the nose along with hints of rose petal. Full bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth, enveloping palate features sour cherry, blood orange, espresso, star anise and toasted hazelnut set against tightly knit, fine-grained tannins.
Decanter
95 Points
The Poggio al Granchio vineyard lies on schistous or ‘galestro’ soil, which accounts for this Brunello’s iron-tinged, meaty succulence. The tannins have an engaging thickness, plumping up the fruit without colonising it, allowing the flinty flavours typical of this vineyard full play.
Wine Spectator
95 Points
Black currant, cherry and plum flavors abound in this red, accented by licorice, tar, menthol, iron and tobacco notes. Pure, detailed and harmonious, with spice and mineral elements lingering on the long aftertaste.
jamessuckling.com
96 Points
Crushed gravel and dried earth on the nose with intense layers of mushrooms, dried oysters and potpourri. Dried flowers and grapefruit peel. It's full-bodied with refined tannins and a long, elegant finish. Quite tight. Juicy and savory at the end.
Vinous
90 Points
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Lago blends ripe black cherries with woodland herbs and cedar spice box. It’s silky in texture, coasting dense red and hints of black fruits across a medium-bodied frame. This is youthfully poised and inward, yet with nuanced tannins.
Jeb Dunnuck
97 Points
It reveals fresh and floral aromatics, with bright red fruit, rose petal, dried thyme, and dusty earth. The palate is crisp and refreshing, with ripe raspberry, candied strawberry, and tea leaf. Its structure is medium-bodied and driven by its energetic acidity, with fine grained tannin. This is the most restrained and high toned of the lineup now, but it will be long-lived and is great for those who enjoy a brighter, more lifted style with tension.
Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
Aromas of black-skinned berry, charred earth and new leather lift out of the glass. The concentrated medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, tobacco, star anise and orange zest alongside austere fine-grained tannins and firm acidity.
Wine Spectator
93 Points
This starts out with pronounced iron and graphite aromas and flavors, wrapped around a beam of black cherry and black currant fruit. Earth, tobacco and wild herb accents get swept up in the dense, dusty tannins on the finish.
Wine Enthusiast
90 Points
Savory and bright, this has delicate, pretty aromas recalling woodland berry, forest floor and cedar. On the already accessible palate, lithe tannins accompany red cherry, coffee bean and white pepper before a drying finish. Tangy acidity keeps it fresh.
Wine & Spirits
94 Points
Its juicy dark-cherry flavors are laced with notes of licorice and dried herbs, the fruit gliding over smooth, polished tannins.
Wine & Spirits
93 Points
An elegant wine with high-toned red-berry flavors and racy acidity. The tannins are bright and chalky, and the wine finishes with plenty of energy, promising a long life ahead.
Wine & Spirits
92 Points
Tarry undertones lend ballast to the juicy red-and-black-cherry flavors, brightened by a hint of orange peel. The wine finishes on lingering spice notes.
jamessuckling.com
94 Points
Dusty notes with crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are a prelude to aromas of fresh button mushrooms and hints of fennel. Savory mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied.
Jeb Dunnuck
94 Points
Aromatics of menthol and medicinal herbs, brushed leather, and black cherry. The palate is dark fruited without weight, marked with dried blackberry, black tea, dried herbs, and classically balanced structure.
Wine Spectator
93 Points
Aromas of iron, blood and cherry lead off in this smooth and vibrant red, with a well of dark fruit—black cherry and blackberry—settling in on the palate. Offers a dusting of dark chocolaty tannins on the finish.
Jeb Dunnuck
95 Points
The 2015 Poggio a Granchio Brunello is aromatic with dried red fruits, violets, dusty sun-baked earth, and saddle leather. It offers gushy, dark cherry fruit upfront, licorice and mineral earth on the palate, and a fine-grained structure and balanced acidity that bring a weightless feel in the warmth of the vintage. Generous now, it will also be welcome to rest in the cellar for the next 2-5 years. Drink 2024-2036.
Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points
The 2015 Brunello is lifted with aromatics of candied cherry, raspberry fruit leather, vanilla, and sweet baking spices. As one would expect with the warmth of the 2015 vintage, the palate is rounder and more generous than the racier 2016. The palate is ripe with fresh cherry, tea leaf, and pleasant orange peel bitterness. It will provide welcome enjoyment over the next 15 years. Drink 2022-2036.
Jeb Dunnuck
94 Points
The 2015 Vigna del Lago is lifted with ripe red cherry fruit, clove, and dried roses. The palate has the most lift of the Vigna wines in this vintage, with tart red fruits, orange zest, and tomato leaf. It offers elegant and fine tannins, with vibrant acidity for the vintage. Drink 2025-2035.
Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points
The 2015 Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino is more introverted on first opening, with notes of black plum, licorice, dried Mediterranean herb, and sun-baked earth. On the palate, it offers a tart dried fruit character, with a building tannin structure that finishes with tomato leaf, and bitter herbs. The most rustic and burly of the wines in the lineup of the 2015 Val di Suga vintage, it will benefit from allowing some time in cellar to see how this matures and its tarriness develops. Drink 2026-2036.