Mission Codename Brunell-whoa
Brunello bros! Sangio chicas! Anyone who loves that good Tuscan juice! Today is for you.
95 POINTS, from the OUTSTANDING 2016 vintage, and most importantly – an unbeatable value at today’s price.
We had a few previous vintages of this, but none flash the straight up raw tantalizing power shown here. Maybe it helps that 2016 was a banner vintage in Tuscany, one of the greatest ever. We can’t say this enough - buy all the 2016s you can because supply is only dwindling at this point.
Cordella started in 1998 as a broker selling grapes to top producers in the area. Then, they made the switch to producer as their younger daughter Maddalena Cordella led the charge making wine. They went from a relatively unknown producer to a shining star in the region, and Wine Advocate noted “Maddalena Cordella farms organic fruit in the Torrenieri subzone of Montalcino located in the northeastern quadrant of the appellation where clay soils are redder and thicker, resulting in more powerful and extracted wines.”
Fast forward to recent years and it’s obvious that was the right move as they keep racking up big scores and more demand with every release.
In the glass you can expect pulsing red fruits that deliver a cascade of dusty raspberry and cherry, with black tea leaf, cedar, rose stems, and a minty/menthol notes are all coming into clear focus as well. This stands out in a sea of otherwise similar Brunello and man, the complexity, the length of finish, and THE PRICE. It’s alllll good. This would be a crime to enjoy without food, preferably something with a little fat to gel with those tannins.
We have just a small parcel to share with you, and when it’s gone it’s gone for good! Early birds get the wines as they say…
95 points - James Suckling
“Gently perfumed with lavender, cedar, and ripe blackberries. It’s full-bodied and smooth with ripe tannins. Just the right amount of chewiness. Lovely chocolate and hazelnut notes on the finish. From organically grown grapes.”
What the Winery Says
2016 Brunello di Montalcino
- Winemaker
- Maddalena Cordella
- Varietal
- 100% Sangiovese Grosso
- Vintage
- 2016
- Appellation
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Alcohol
- 14%
- Farming
- Sustainable, organic
- Altitude
- 350 meters above sea level
- Planting density
- 3,800-4,000 vines/acre
- Aging
- 24 months
- Barrels
- 25hl Slavonian oak botti