Wine Advisor
Cerbaiona, Brunello di Montalcino 2021
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Cerbaiona’s 2021 Brunello di Montalcino marks a psychological and physical rebirth for the estate, as the first vintage produced in the new technological winery using fruit from refurbished vineyards and a parcel-by-parcel harvest approach. This release represents the first Brunello made entirely under Matthew Fioretti’s vision, defining Cerbaiona as an atelier estate rooted in winemaking precision. The wine is beautifully complete on the aromatic front, distinguished by an elegant mineral signature that is especially pronounced in this vintage, lending clarity and lift. It opens on a timid note before growing steadily in intensity, revealing fine and delicate layers of spice and floral notes alongside evident complexity. Production totals 9,484 bottles, 300 magnums and 20 Jeroboams.
Reviewed by: Eric Guido
The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino captivates with a burst of crushed black cherries and strawberries accompanied by incense, cedar shavings and crushed stone. It is refined, precise and cool-toned with stony minerality. Vibrant acidity enlivens its core of tart wild berry fruits. The 2021 finishes off crunchy and long with edgy tannins, an invigorating twang of sour citrus and a tinge of licorice. This is the first vintage that takes full advantage of the new plantings at Cerbaiona. Very impressive.
About the Producer
Cerbaiona was founded by retired Alitalia pilot Diego Molinari in 1977. The winery has remained one of the most sought after and historically important Brunello wineries from their very first bottling in the early '80s. The Cerbaiona vineyard had been a legend for nearly 200 years but with the advent of the Brunello DOCG it immediately began to shine on the world stage gaining cult status, sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. Consistently listed in the top five by Brunello collectors and critics alike, the secret to the success of Cerbaiona was in the terroir and vineyard microclimate as well as the traditional interpretation in the cellar. This created the perfect symbiosis of age-worthiness and delicious complexity which is the hallmark of great wines.
