2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Lisini, Tuscany, Italy

Description

Lisini’s traditional boldness, along with the expressive vintage character, gives this wine a heightened elegance. Long and gentle maceration retain its delicate, high-toned perfume. Fermentation in cement and 42 months in Slavonian botti refine this power, giving the tannins a tight, ceramic sheen. This is truly outstanding and worthy of long cellaring, but there’s remarkable enjoyment now.

Drink 2022 - 2046

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour Red

Sweetness Dry

Vintage 2016

Maturity Ready - youthful

Grape List Sangiovese

Body Full Bodied

Producer Lisini, Tuscany

Critics reviews

Walter Speller 18/20

Lustrous mid ruby. Pure deep sweet, youthful cherry nose with a hint of black tea leaves and a suggestion of oak. Succulent cherry fruit palate that closes up swiftly. Tangy finish with gorgeous coating tannins. Super-elegant palate weight at 14.5% alcohol, yet plenty of concentration. Needs more time, though. Drink 2024 - 2036 Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com (March 2021)

Drink 2024 - 2036

Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com (Mar 2021)

Michaela Morris 95/100

Lisini is one of Montalcino’s oldest estates and has been owned by the Lisini-Clementi family since the 16th century. Today, it is run by Ludovica Lisini and her cousins Carlo and Lorenzo. After a few moments in the glass, liquorice, chocolate and tobacco begin to permeate. Full yet deftly balanced, layers of grainy tannins are an equal match for the dense, dark fruit. Though ageing is in large oak casks, there is a suggestion of wood with sweet vanillin and mint. I suspect a couple more years in bottle will bring everything into exquisite cohesion. Drink 2023 - 2038 Michaela Morris, Decanter.com (March 2021)

Drink 2024 - 2036

Michaela Morris, Decanter.com (Mar 2021)

James Suckling 93/100

This is medium-to full-bodied, yet very rich, with lots of sandalwood, lavender, fresh blackberries and crushed cloves. More citrus peel on the palate. Lemon peel and blackberries. Fine tannins and a fresh, tangy finish. Alcohol comes out at the end.Drink after 2022james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (November 2020)

Drink 2024 - 2036

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (Nov 2020)

Eric Guido 95/100

Dark and imposing in the glass, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a delicate bouquet of balsam herbs and smoke, giving way to cedar spice box, dusty rose and dried black cherries. This is incredibly soft and pliant on the palate, with lavender-tinged, ripe red and black fruits guided by juicy acidity. Violet inner florals and a bitter tinge of balsamic spice linger as the 2016 finishes long and lightly structured, with edgy tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum. While already quite appealing, with a good decanting, the 2016 is still years away from its optimal drinking window.Drink 2025 - 2038eric_guido, Vinous.com.com (December 2023)

Drink 2024 - 2036

Eric Guido, Vinous.com (Dec 2023)

About this wine

Sangiovese

A black grape widely grown in Central Italy and the main component of Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as well as being the sole permitted grape for the famed Brunello di Montalcino.

Find out more

Lisini, Tuscany

The history of Lisini dates to the time of the Medicis. This is one of Montalcino’s oldest estates, and a founding member of the Corsorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. Lisini is one of the few producers in Sant’Angelo in Colle, in the south-west of Montalcino. The proximity here to Maremma gives maritime breezes warding against summer heat, which is especially important in as hot and dry a year as 2017. Thick woodland, olive groves and wild scrubs surround the 25 hectares under vine – a rural haven of the region’s finest terroir. An ancient river system sculpted the area, and with it the complex soils in Lisini’s vineyards. Fossil laced sand, clay and iron-rich soils, paired with altitudes of 300-400 metres, all play a leading role in the unique personality of Lisini’s wines.

Find out more