Frescobaldi - Tenuta Castelgiocondo : Ripe al Convento 2016

The Frescobaldi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Ripe al Convento di CastelGiocondo opens a happy new chapter for this celebrated Tuscan wine family. The Frescobaldis have successfully embraced the classic and iconic qualities of the vintage with the chiseled and sharp aromas that came naturally in 2016. Those etched contours come forth as cherry, blackberry, rose, spice, tar and tobacco. However, the wine's 15% alcohol is a distraction here, as it is in many of the Riservas tasted in this report. This is a production of 12,000 bottles.

A stellar red, this captures the freshness and purity of the vintage, featuring cherry, currant and even a hint of flowers, with characteristic Sangiovese iron and tobacco notes. Firms up nicely as it develops toward the finish, where it lingers with dusty tannins and ample fruit to offset them. Best from 2025 through 2042. 1,000 cases made, 50 cases imported.

Mocha notes on the nose, coffee, cola, vanilla, cinnamon and pink flowers. Fresh with a tannic hold, ample, massy and fleshy but with such clear definition – tannins are mouthfilling yet detailed and nuanced, so you feel the precision alongside the flavours themselves. Feels extremely well crafted, everything in its place. I love the chewiness, the concentrated ripeness and the overall in‑your‑face expression because you sense the detail behind it as well as the nuance, ranging from primary blueberry, cherry and blackcurrant fruit to more tertiary elements of tobacco, coffee beans, leather, sweet exotic spices and peppery tones. It’s lifted and sophisticated, powerful yet poised. What a wine! Amazing potential here. It gives you chills to taste a wine like this. From vines at 450 m on schist‑based Galestro soils.

Blackberry, black-cherry, bark, mushroom and lavender aromas. Full-bodied with intense, polished tannins and bright acidity. It’s so long, linear and structured. A powerful and so serious red. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2025.

Clear ruby with a fine garnet sheen. Open and delicate nose, full of wild raspberry, some blackberry, juicy dark cherry in the background. Very juicy on the palate, cherry and plum dominate, good tension, lots of fine-grained tannins.