Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2013
- Vintage
- 2013
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Tuscany
- Size
- 750ml
- Rating
- WA91, WE91
- Grape
- Sangiovese
Just like the 2014 Brunello that I tasted at the same time, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva tastes slightly older and more evolved than expected. The wine opens to a dark maroon color with deep amber browning at the edges. The primary fruit has faded and what you get instead recalls spice, dried plum, wild mushroom, savory tobacco and crushed terracotta. The wine drinks nicely right now straight out of the gate, and for that reason I am reluctant to suggest long cellar aging. - WA91
This opens with aromas of wild berry, Mediterranean brush and new leather. The savory balanced palate offers dried black cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink 2021–2029. - WE91
This Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is produced only in the best years.
It comes only from our Sangiovese Grosso vineyards and has the same vinification and aging as Brunello, with an extra 12 months of aging in French tonneaux (500 liter oak casks).
The wine is full bodied and well structured with a rich red ruby color. The taste is intense and elegant with a hint of spices and a final seducing tannic. A truly exceptional wine reserved for the most special of occasions.- Winemaker's Notes
Cosimo Loia's estate is situated on the eastern slopes of the hills outside Montalcino. The entire property covers an area of approximately 15 hectares (37 acres) at an altitude of 310 meters (about 1,000 feet). Originally from Benevento (in Campania), Cosimo came to "Brunello land" when he married a woman from Montalcino. He fell in love with this part of Tuscany as well, and during the 1980s began to dedicate himself to wine. Palazzo's vineyards encompass 5 hectares (12 acres) and are located next to fine producers like Cerbaiona and Salvioni. There have been major structural changes in the estate over the past few years: the arrival of consulting enologist Fabrizio Ciufoli has raised the quality level, and the production has also benefited from investment that included replacing most of the traditional casks with large Slavonian oak barrels, with a few barriques added for balance. This formula has given new life to the estate, which is now managed by Cosimo's daughter Elia.