Le Chiuse’s Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Review

Tuscany in a bottle? Le Chiuse’s Brunello di Montalcino 2016 comes pretty darn close. Critics adore it (five stars!), but don’t just take their word. This Brunello’s a symphony waiting to be unmuted.

Imagine this: you crack open a bottle and bam! Sun-drenched cherries and juicy plums launch a vibrant melody on your tongue. But this ain’t a one-note show. Delicate violets add a touch of floral harmony, while whispers of leather and spice weave in a hint of intrigue. All held together by tannins as smooth as Tuscan hills, these flavors dance across your palate like seasoned performers.

But the magic goes deeper than just the juice. Le Chiuse are Tuscany’s unsung heroes, pampering their grapes like prize puppies (organically, of course). And they let the Sangiovese do its thing, sing its own sun-kissed song. No wonder their Brunellos are classics with a twist—old-school soul with a modern swagger.

Testing Notes – Brunello di Montalcino 2016

The first whiff? Tuscany in a bottle, my friend. Ripe cherries and juicy plums lead the charge, their sweetness shadowed by the velvety whispers of violets and a hint of sun-baked leather. But this ain’t a one-note tango. As the aroma unfurls, delicate florals peek through, a hint of intriguing spice tickles the nose, and a whisper of licorice adds a seductive touch. It’s complex, it’s elegant, it’s already whispering promises of depth.

On the palate, it’s an explosion of Tuscan sunshine. Rich fruit takes center stage, a luscious medley of blackberry joining the cherry and plum chorus, a touch of earthy fig grounding the melody. But beneath the fruit lies the true strength of this wine. Tannins, firm yet surprisingly gentle, provide a backbone, a confident hand guiding the experience. Acidity? It dances a lively jig, keeping the whole show vibrant and fresh.

And then, the finish. Ah, the finish. Like a Tuscan sunset itself, slow and lingering. Fruit fades gracefully, leaving behind whispers of spice, leather, and that lingering memory of sun-drenched earth. It’s a finish that invites contemplation, a slow exhale of pure satisfaction that seems to fill you from the inside out.

This isn’t just a wine, it’s a conversation. It speaks of rolling Tuscan hills, the warmth of the sun on your skin, and the deep satisfaction of a meal shared with loved ones under the starlit sky. It’s a wine for savoring, not gulping. A wine for letting the flavors unfurl like secrets shared over clinking glasses in the fading light.

Is it perfect? Maybe not for everyone. Some might find the tannins a touch too firm, the price tag a bit daunting. But for those who appreciate complexity, elegance, and a story told in sips, this 2016 Le Chiuse Brunello is a masterpiece. It’s a testament to the skill of the winemaker, the generosity of the Tuscan land, and the magic that happens when these two forces collide.

So, if you have the chance, uncork a bottle, slow down, and let the wine tell its story to your soul. I promise, it’s a tale worth listening to, and one that will stay with you long after the last drop is gone.

Pairing Recommendations

Lavishly structured wines like Le Chiuse demand equally substantial cuisine. High-protein red meat and game make classic pairings able to stand up to elevated intensity and amplified flavors. Heartier tomato-based pasta and dry aged cheese are also excellent options:

Beef & Lamb – Pair with high quality ribeye, T-bone or porterhouses simply grilled with olive oil and sea salt. The wine’s herbal edge beautifully complements char.

Game Meats – Elevated intensity aligns with intensely flavored venison, boar or bison steaks. Dried fruit notes complement tangy preparations featuring fruit reductions.

Aged Cheese – Hard cow and sheep’s milk cheeses like aged Asiago or Manchego make delicious pairings. Their salty sharpness balances the wine’s layered sweetness.

Rich Pastas – Bucatini all’Amatriciana, pappardelle Bolognese or lasagna layered with meat ragu and tomato sauce all make perfect pairings able to match this wine’s concentrated flavors.

Overall Impressions and Cellar Noteworthiness

Le Chiuse’s 2016 Brunello di Montalcino offers a pristinely rendered snapshot of a great Tuscan vintage—dense and massively structured yet balanced by lively acidity with emerging notes that suggest incredible positive evolution over the next two decades. The purity of fruit concentration and finely pixelated tannins bode very well for integration and added nuance with proper cellaring.

While delicious now with substantial protein to help tame the tannins, I predict this will hit its stride from 2024-2046. In a vintage known for delivering structured power blended with finesse, Le Chiuse stands tall for achieving incredible layered aromatics, dense concentration and elegant polish.Seek this out for your cellar or as the benchmark 2016 in a Brunello tasting.

Frequently Asked Questions about Brunello di Montalcino