2016 PIETRANERA BRUNELLO “750ML”

This is my favorite Brunello on the reasonable side. The last great vintage 2010, this wine with time in the bottle absolutely floored me. We have offered in every top vintage of Brunello. I have been tasting and offering the finest Brunello for the last twenty five years and this house has always been one of favorites. Many of the wines that are on the value side even in this great vintage can be a little thin and lacking in complexity. This wine the 2016 Pietranera Brunello has the weight and richness we all desire with the balance and complexity we see on only the best Brunello. The wine received an excellent 94pts by Suckling.

Pietranera is owned by the Peluso Centolani family who also owns Friggiali and is located literally right in the center of the Brunello Appellation. The name Pietranera (black stone) derives from the volcanic soil present in the area. The winery is only 8 hectares, production is small and hands on. Cosnulting winemaker is one of Italy’s greatest winemakers Riccardo Cotarella. He is known as the Wizrard. Other great Italian reds made by him are Montevetrano, Terra di Lavoro and le Pupille Saffredi, 100pt Wines.

The 2016’s are a must! Galloni comments; “I frankly cannot remember the last time I tasted young wines from Montalcino that possessed such symmetry from start to finish.” While the wines are beautiful young, they were built for the cellar and I would definitely lay some down. Parker’s WA comments, “Brunello from 2016 are poised for long-term success, they will undoubtedly be remembered as important highlights on a long timeline of vintages. These are career-defining wines for many estates and for the appellation as a whole.”