95 Decanter – Supple and generous in terms of acidity, crushed velvet-textured tannins and herbal-edged red berry fruit – mouth filling and lively. This has character and definition, so youthful still, with tannins on the ripe, grippy side but there is nice underlying spice and touches of bitter orange peel, cinnamon and toasted cedar alongside more delicate rose and violet floral elements all of which come in waves presenting themselves one after the other building to a harmonious and characterful crescendo on the finish. Structured and persistent with depth and lasting power. Totally captivating.
93 Wine Advocate – The Frescobaldi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo is one of those wines that has seen slight tweaks and stylistic changes over the past 10 years, going from an abundant, large-scale generic Tuscan red to a more subdued and authentic interpretation of the cool Montalcino territory. I’d say that the transition has been smooth and not obvious, unless you were especially attentive. Despite the hot-vintage character of this sample, the wine freely dispenses of wild berry, crushed stone and red rose aromas.