2016 Armilla Brunello di Montalcino

Tuscany, Italy

Armilla is a small, 4.5 hectare family run estate located in Tavernelle, a tiny village southwest of Montalcino proper. It was purchased in 1980 by Silverio and Marchetti as a retirement project. The family planted vineyards and built a small winery, and began to produce wines, although initially it could not be called Brunello because it was outside of the DOCG zone at the time. In 1995, the land was included in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and the family (daughters Ilaria and Fiorella, and their children Nicola and Giacomo) joined the business. Unfortunately, Silverio died in 1997 before the first bottle was sold; however, the rest of the family has carried on the winery in his memory.

96 points, Wine Enthusiast. "From one of Montalcino's little-known gems of an estate, this radiant, savory red opens with enticing aromas of woodland berry, rose, new leather and camphor. It savory and supremely elegant, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry compote, star anise and baking spice framed in taut, polished tannins. Drink 2024–2036. "

95 points, James Suckling. "Lovely perfumes of sweet berries, cherries, flowers and sandalwood. Dried stone and lavender too. Lots of plums. Full-bodied with layers of fruit and creamy tannins. Soft, polished and velvety with a flavorful finish. Shows some lovely ripeness and focus. Drink after 2024 and onwards."

94 points, Jeb Dunnuck. "The 2016 Brunello is transparent and lifted with fennel and Bing cherry. The palate is pure and vibrant with bright acidity and a delicate black tea bitterness, with fine tannins. Drink 2021-2032."

94 points, Robert Parker. "The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a slightly austere personality, even serious I would say. This is one of the character traits I found across the 2016 vintage, along with precision, focus and tightness that give you confidence in the wine's long cellar-aging ability. Forest fruit, wild berry and plum are followed by spice and some crushed mineral or slate from the soils. Armilla farms a site with layers of calcareous, siliceous and arenaceous elements. That complexity of the terrain is reflected in the depth and complexity of this vintage. This wine will be released at the start of 2021 with 9,500 bottles."