96

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

Giancarlo Pacenti’s 2006 Brunello di Montalcino impressed for its balance, harmony and sense of proportion. The combination of fruit from Montalcino’s northern and southern districts yields a Brunello of incomparable finesse. A slight bit of dryness from the oak was a distraction.

96

Antonio Galloni

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino saturates the palate with deep layers of dark red fruit, violets, new leather and spices. The aromas and flavors grow beautifully with air, showing remarkable intensity all the way through to the expansive, textured finish. This is a brilliant effort from Giancarlo Pacenti. The Brunello saw 18-20 days on the skins, followed by malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barrels, of which roughly 80% were new. The vineyard sources are approximately 4.5 hectares in Sant’Angelo and Piancornello (in the south of Montalcino) and 5 hectares in Pelagrilli (in the north). Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Giancarlo Pacenti continues to make some of the most brilliant, textured wines in Montalcino. His 2006s are superb. The harvest started on September 25th and ended at the beginning of October. This year Pacenti has a new Brunello, Pelagrilli, made from younger vines than he uses for his top bottlings. The Pelagrilli is another step away from Pacenti’s long held preference for making a single Brunello from his holdings across multiple vineyards in Montalcino. According to Pacenti, the younger vines in Pelagrilli are now old enough to be bottled separately, while the older vines are used for the top of the line PS when the quality of the vintage is high. So, in 2006 readers will find three Pacenti Brunelli the entry-level Pelagrilli, the straight Brunello and the PS, which will be released next year. Pacenti uses vines under 20 years old for the Rosso, from ages 20-30 for the new Pelagrilli, and older than 30 for the Brunello and PS.

95

James Suckling

James Suckling

Aromas of cherries, mushrooms, bark and grilled cherries follow through to a full body with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Layered and savory. Shows the ripeness of the vintage. Beautiful to drink now and holding on nicely. 07/2022