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2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Ciliegio, La Magia, Tuscany, Italy

  • Red
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
  • Sangiovese
Not ready
Walter Speller
17++/20
Eric Guido
94/100
Michaela Morris
91/100
Product: 20188128209
2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Ciliegio, La Magia, Tuscany, Italy

Description

1,080 bottles produced.

In the historic heart of the estate, an ancient cherry trees stands surrounded by the oldest vines, producing the estate’s most expressive Sangiovese. After harvest, the grapes have a long, 40-day maceration on skins, followed by 36 months in French tonneau, 80% of which is new.

The wine is heady and evocative, even in a lighter vintage as ’18: a cloak of purple plum fruits embroidered with glazed cherries, floral details and rocky weight, woven together with the molten chew of sweet salty smoked pancetta – so typical of this prized cru. There is mineral energy and framed glossy oak. Gleaming, lucid and lighter than previous releases, but by no means less complex or age-worthy.

Drink 2024 - 2040

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2018
Maturity Not ready
Grape List Sangiovese
Body Full Bodied
Producer La Màgia

Critics reviews

Walter Speller 17++/20
Deep ruby with orange rim. Savoury spice from the oak and a little exotic. Still closed on the fruit. Gorgeous sour cherry and raspberry intermingle with complex, sweet oak. Lots of firm tannins that are a little upfront right now, but this is still embryonic. Closes up and needs much more time. Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com (November 2022)
Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com (Nov 2022)
Eric Guido 94/100
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Ciliegio impresses from the first tilt of the glass as a wave of balsamic spice, mentholated herbs, and rich cherry sauce overcomes the senses. This is pure elegance on the palate, silky to the core, and with ripe red fruits accelerated by vibrant acidity. A pretty inner sweetness emerges through the finish, nicely contrasting the fine tannins that tug at the cheeks as inner violet and rose tones resonate on and on. This dark beauty has a bright future ahead of it.eric_guido, Vinous.com.com (October 2022)
Eric Guido, Vinous.com (Oct 2022)
Michaela Morris 91/100
La Màgia’s Ciliegio selection focuses on the estate’s oldest plot, which is graced by a significant cherry tree. The vines are now well into their fifth decade. As usual at this wine’s early stage, the new oak influence is pronounced. Heady scents of nutmeg, cedar, clove and vanilla contrast the shy fruit suggestive of cherry.It's substantially structured with polished tannins, but I just question if there is sufficient fruit to ride this out. Merits a revisit after another year in bottle.Michaela Morris, Decanter.com (November 2022)
Michaela Morris, Decanter.com (Nov 2022)

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.
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La Màgia

The Schwarz family have owned La Màgia since the mid-1970s. Originally from Alto Adige, they were among the first Brunello producers to estate-bottle their wines. This organic estate is farmed by second-generation Fabian; born in Montalcino, he succeeded his father in 2005. He has since redefined the estate’s direction, continuing to realise the potential of this hallowed site. The farm sits high above the Abbey of Sant’Animo – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and faces south-east towards Mount Amiata. The exposure to the cold mountain winds, morning sun exposition and altitude of 400-450 metres provide a cooler microclimate, adding to the freshness, tension and energy in the wines – even in a warm vintage like ’17.
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