Luminous ruby red. The nose shows aromas of raspberries and currants with notes of plums, herbs, earth and dried flowers. Elegant, fruity, spicy and very long in the mouth, great Rosso di Montalcino.

Darkly floral and broody yet captivating, the 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte entices with depths of dried black cherry, cedary, exotic spice and a dusting of cocoa. This is pure elegance on the palate, with silken textures that usher in waves of ripe red and black fruit, all balanced by a core of mineral-tinged acidity. The 2020 finishes with a bitter tinge of sour wild berries and liquorice, tapering off with medium length and only lightly structured. This is a more immediate style for Rossofonte, yet one that I find quite attractive.

This is a terrific wine (at an affordable price point) that you can always count on when planning an informal dinner with family and friends. The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte is bright and lively with pretty cherry fruit, raspberry and redcurrant. The aromas are lifted and bright, and the wine offers good textural tension along the way to pair with roast chicken, fajitas, grilled meats and more.

Subtle caramel to the very ripe and savory berry fruit and oranges. Quite flavorful on the palate with firm tannins, fresh medium acidity and a spiced, medium-long finish. Shows quality but a little more freshness would take it to the next level. Drink now.

Dark shining ruby red. Delicate balsamic notes on the nose, hearty dark berries, mint, light malt and a hint of blackberries. Elegant and polished on the palate, with round, velvety tannins, spreads out excellently, noble and long.

A medium-bodied red with crushed-berry and chocolate character. Some spices and bark, too. Lots of structure and flavor. This is more like a Brunello! Drink or hold.

Dark wood tones, underbrush and crushed black cherries can all be found as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte grumbles up from the glass. It’s silky, nearly creamy on the palate, with polished red and black fruits that give way to exotic spice in a display of total elegance. While structured, its tannins are sweet and round, providing youthful grip without hindering the resonance of wild berries and licorice that lingers on and on. This is an impressive showing for the 2019 Rossofonte, but some cellaring will be required before it comes fully into focus.

A selection in the vineyard from younger vines, aged for two years in botte grande. Tar, smoky woodland, liquorice and helichrysum are combined with raspberry and cherry fruit aroma and flavour. Full and velvety with a crisp palate, it has a warming finish with a savoury and toasty character.

The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte is the second entry-level Rosso from this creative estate that loves to push the boundaries. This is a great effort, especially considering its price tag and the growing potential of Rosso di Montalcino. Red cherry, raspberry, cedarwood and toasted almond rise from the bouquet. The wine offers a great sense of dimension and depth, with just 6,000 bottles made.

In the southern part of the appellation, close to the Orcia river and benefitting from its influence, this estate produces a great Rosso, exquisitely true to its terroir. The relatively cool 2018 vintage in this warmer subzone of Montalcino has amplified the fruity character and the supple style of Rossofonte, without losing complexity. Alluring floral notes of roses and macerated violets are joined by liquorice freshness and a touch of smoky woodland. The palate is focused on cherry and raspberry fruit, with good tension balancing the supple fruit with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity. Slightly chalky on the finish, it is otherwise a clear example of generous Rosso drinkability.

The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte is dark and youthfully brooding in the glass. With coaxing, a mix of black cherries dusted in exotic brown spices, hints of tobacco and violets comes forward. This is silky and polished, with textural waves of ripe red fruit laced with licorice and salty minerals giving way to a collection of fine tannins toward the close. There’s plenty of structure here for medium-term cellaring. The 2018 will require another year or two to come fully into focus.

A spicy Rosso di Montalcino that shows more glazed cherries and rose petals than most, as well as some delicious cinnamon and spices. Medium body, fine but hearty tannins and a medium-chewy finish. If only more wines from this category were as good as this! Drink now.

The hauntingly dark and alluring bouquet on the 2016 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte keeps you coming back to the glass again and again. Blackberries, cherries, brown spices, tobacco and wet stone create a rich and layered display. It’s velvety-smooth, balancing cooling acids with ripe red and black fruits further complicated by dried citrus and hints of mocha. This remains elegant, without a hard edge in sight, closing off to a note of violet candies and purple florals. The Rossofonte is a vineyard selection that is matured in smaller Slavonian oak barrels of 7.5 to 20 hectoliters. It’s a big wine, yet with admirable balance and ready to please a broad range of palates.

Aromas of red berry, camphor, rose and botanical herb lift out of the glass. The elegant, structured palate offers raspberry compote and licorice alongside polished tannins. This is one Rosso for moderate aging. Drink now through 2023.

The 2015 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte is a serious wine that captures the essence of the Ciacci style, but is naturally more approachable than the estate's Brunellos. Wild cherry, tobacco, cedar, mint and lavender infuse the Rosso with striking layers of nuance. Far form an easygoing wine, the 2015 packs a real punch, making it a great choice for the dinner table, where it will be exquisite with similarly rich foods.

Editor's Choice. This dazzling red boasts aromas of wild berry, chopped herb, violet and a whiff of truffle. The linear balanced palate also boasts surprising structure for the vintage, delivering juicy wild cherry, licorice and clove alongside silky elegant tannins and bright acidity. Incredibly enjoyable, one bottle may not be enough.

Serious Rosso with depth and structure. Medium to light body, silky tannins and a plum and cedar aftertaste. Drink now.