Castiglion del Bosco Brunello Riserva Millecento
Montalcino, Italy
Vintage:2015 (Past)
2011 (Past) | 2016 (Current) | 2019 (Pending)
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Reviews
Wine Spectator 94 Points
“A firm structural edge keeps macerated cherry, plum and underbrush flavors defined, while a lively acidity drives them to a lingering conclusion. Fresh and shows fine tension. Best from 2024 through 2045.”
The Wine Advocate 95 Points
“The Castiglion del Bosco 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Millecento represents a happy return for a wine that we have not seen in a few years. This Riserva draws its fruit from an eight-hectare parcel with schistous galestro soils surrounded by thick forests and wildlife. Some 10,000 bottles were made. There is soft and rich cherry fruit at the core with light shadings of spice, cinnamon, tilled earth and a more sanguine tone of rust or iron ore.”
Vinous Media 93 Points
“The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Millecento Riserva of Castiglion del Bosco takes no prisoners, boasting a striking bouquet of crushed medicinal cherry and plum complemented by confectionary spices. It floods the palate with velvety textures and dark ripe fruits, offset by vibrant acids and salty tension. There’s a density and primary feel to the Millecento which, combined with its fine-grained tannin, promises years of development. Baker’s chocolate and hints of cedar linger on the long and structured finish. The 2015 Riserva spent thirty-six months in thirty hectoliter French oak barrels and another six months in porous concrete vats prior to bottling. It’s a large-scaled yet balanced effort.”
JamesSuckling.com 97 Points
“Opulent aromas of cherry, plum, dried meat and orange peel with some bark and cedar. Full-bodied with firm yet polished tannins that fill mouth and carry far down the wine to the end. It’s creamy-textured and chewy. Purity and integration. Very drinkable now, but needs another two or three years to come around. Try after 2022.”
Overview
Castiglion del Bosco is one of the most prominent producers in Montalcino, both for the history of the estate and for its size, with 5,000 acres unchanged in the last 400 years. In 1967, when the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino was born, Castiglion del Bosco was one of its 25 founding members. This extraordinary property whose origin dates back to the 12th century was acquired by Massimo Ferragamo in 2003, who in turn totally restored the property to its original glory.
Riserva Millecento is the highest expression of Sangiovese from the Capanna vineyard. First released with the 2004 vintage and produced only in exceptional growing years, this Brunello Riserva is the fruit of a meticulous selection of estate-grown grapes—the most classic expression of our Sangiovese. Elegance, character, and persistence make Millecento a wine for the ages.
Winemaking
Brunello Riserva Millecento is harvested in mid-October and spends 20-25 days with prolonged maceration in stainless steel tanks. The wine matures for 36 months in 30hl French oak barriques, followed by 6 months in cement tanks. The wine is then aged in bottle between 24 and 36 months. The entire vinification process is carried out in Castiglion del Bosco’s cellar, completely gravity-fed.
Tasting Notes
The rich bouquet indicates the great finesse and elegance of this Sangiovese. The complexity and harmony give great balance along with long persistence in the mouth.
Harvest Notes
2015 was a textbook vintage in terms of the climate and the exceptional quality of the grapes. July and August were hot and dry, and the soil's water reserves, which accumulated in the spring, helped to counteract the heat, leading to a superb vintage, which benefited from day-night temperature swings in September, hence the perfect ripening of the berries. The coolness of the weeks in the run-up to the harvest resulted in the perfect concentration of the aromas and ideal tannic maturation. The hand-picked grapes were healthy and integral, boasting small bunches and sparse berries, while the sugar content and acidity were exceptional. The altitude of the vineyard enabled excellent tanic maturation in a complete and varied year.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Sangiovese
Wine Alcohol: 14.5%
Aging: 36 months in 30hl French oak barrels and 6 months in cement tanks