Wines Brunello di Montalcino Giuseppe Tassi - 2016

Viniou Reviews

Brunello di Montalcino 2016 from Giuseppe Tassi is a remarkable expression of Sangiovese Grosso, Tuscany’s noble varietal famously known for creating some of the world’s most age-worthy reds. The 2016 vintage is celebrated for its elegance and balance, having benefited from an almost perfect growing season with a cool spring, warm summer, and ideal harvest conditions. Careful vineyard management and a traditional vinification process, with extended maceration and aging for several years in large Slavonian oak casks, imbue this wine with both structure and complexity. The result is a wine that displays deep ruby color and reveals a bouquet of ripe red cherries, blackberries, violets, leather, and subtle tobacco, complemented by earthy undertones and refined tannins that promise graceful evolution in the bottle.

The Montalcino region in southern Tuscany is graced with a Mediterranean climate, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennines, benefiting from warm days and cool nights. This diurnal shift is essential for Sangiovese, allowing slow and even ripening that preserves fresh acidity and expressive aromatics. The soils here are a patchwork of clay, limestone, and marl, contributing both minerality and depth to the region’s wines. Brunello di Montalcino, officially recognized as a DOCG in 1980, has a storied reputation for producing some of Italy’s most distinguished reds, thanks to strict regulations and the unique local microclimate.

Pairing this Brunello is a joy—its opulence and structure call for robust dishes. Tuscan cuisine provides natural partners: wild boar ragù with pappardelle, bistecca alla fiorentina, or aged pecorino cheese are classic matches. The wine’s earthy and savory notes also harmonize beautifully with truffled pasta, roasted game birds, or mushroom risotto.

For serving, decant the Brunello di Montalcino 2016 for at least one hour to allow full expression of its bouquet. Enjoy at a temperature of 18-20°C to fully appreciate the finesse of its tannins and layered flavors. This vintage is already showing beautifully but will reward further cellaring over the next decade.