2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Franci, Riserva, Tassi, Tuscany, Italy

2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Franci, Riserva, Tassi, Tuscany, Italy

Product: 20188150208
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2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Franci, Riserva, Tassi, Tuscany, Italy

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Description

Planted in 1979, the Vigna Franci in Castelnuovo dell’Abate grows on iron-red clay, and fine marl soils facing east-south-east. This corner of vineyards under Castello di Valona is highly desirable, featuring the terroir of the region’s best wines.

Fabio shares this hillside with neighbouring Poggio di Sotto and nearby Stella di Campalto. In 2018, Fabio opted against making a Riserva from his prized vineyard; instead, we get a welcome, younger view of his oldest cru. It’s been fermented in Garbellotto botti with 30 days of maceration followed by 36 months in smaller Slavonian oak.

This expression is bright and light colour. The nose is inviting with rose, nutmeg and notes of pancetta fat; earthy, sweet and deep. The palate has glorious old-vine depth, with sweet, tangy fruits framed by clever, persistent tannins. This is super long, seductive and sapid.

Drink 2024 - 2040

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Critics reviews

Eric Guido, Vinous92/100

Like a savoury holiday feast, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Franci boasts a rich mix of plum sauce, cranberry, savoury herbs and autumnal spice. This is texturally deep and potent, with mineral-tinged red fruits and clove nuances. 

A fine tannin coating is left to linger, along with a bump of stimulating citrus, as the 2018 tapers off long and elegantly perfumed. Very nice, and while this may not have the power of the best years, fans of Tassi will not want to be without it.

Eric Guido, Vinous.com (October 2022)

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Jancis Robinson MW15.5/20

Maturing ruby with bricky rim. Shows definitely a little more oomph on the nose than the straight Brunello. Sappy, soft fruit and already very accessible, but overall seems a tiny bit simple.

Walter Speller, Jancisrobinson.com (November 2022)

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Jancis Robinson MW15.5/20
Maturing ruby with bricky rim. Shows definitely a little more oomph on the nose than the straight Brunello. Sappy, soft fruit and already very accessible, but overall seems a tiny bit simple.

Walter Speller, Jancisrobinson.com, November 2022 Read more

About this WINE

Tassi

Tassi

The Tassi family have deep roots in Montalcino. They have a legacy of working the vineyards of Biondi Santi and then as beekeepers, before turning their attention back to wine. Owner Fabio Tassi is a restaurateur, running the town’s flagship Drogheria Franci restaurant, and he owns its most prolific wine shop. His exposure to, and understanding of, Brunello’s wines, vintages and vineyards are greater than most – as are his relationships with many of the great winemaking families of Italy.

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Sangiovese

Sangiovese

A black grape widely grown in Central Italy and the main component of Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as well as being the sole permitted grape for the famed Brunello di Montalcino.

It is a high yielding, late ripening grape that performs best on well-drained calcareous soils on south-facing hillsides. For years it was blighted by poor clonal selection and massive overcropping - however since the 1980s the quality of Sangiovese-based wines has rocketed upwards and they are now some of the most sought after in the world.

It produces wines with pronounced tannins and acidity, though not always with great depth of colour, and its character can vary from farmyard/leather nuances through to essence of red cherries and plums. In the 1960s the advent of Super Tuscans saw bottlings of 100% Sangiovese wines, as well as the introduction of Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon blends, the most famous being Tignanello.

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