2016 Castel Giocondo Brunello di Montalcino

Frescobaldi, who owns and produces this label, is a big wine producer in the Tuscany region of Italy. Made of 100% Sangiovese grape varietal, and with multiple awards as well as highly rated by wine critics, this wine is being seen beyond just a pop and pour drink. It may not reach the high level producers like Soldera, I’d classify this label as a mid-range Brunello di Montalcino, and the price reflects that as well. However, it’s a very comfortable wine to drink. Decanted for 3 hours, the bouquet was big by any standard, ripe with stewed fruits, loads of cherry notes. Content was big and full bodied as well, nice and soft tannins. The 3 hours decanting really helped soften down the initially rather dry tannins, and I don’t feel the 14.5% alcohol, very well integrated wine with great acidity and oak balance. A great value mid-tier Brunello di Montalcino.