The Wine Enthusiast loved this – rating it over every recent vintage of Il Palazzone’s $150 Brunello Riserva, and saying:
Elegantly structured this lovely red has scents recalling camphor, blue flowers, dark spice and coffee bean. Smooth and savory, the linear palate features juicy Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise set against taut, polished tannins. Drink 2025–2029.
Indeed, they rate it over a ton of prestigious 2017 Brunellos selling for $140 to $300.
Suckling, too:
Lots of ripe berry and sandalwood, with some licorice on the nose. Full-bodied and layered with bark, mushroom and wet earth, with some balsamic undertones to the fruit. Big, yet not overly tannic. Drink or hold.
And the Canadian Wine Align, which rates this the top Il Palazzone ever.
And Jancis Robinson, who rates it the finest Il Palazzone Brunello to date:
Brooding nose with a clear, minerally edge. Very embryonic right now. A tight palate with a rich layer of tannins and subtle, juicy acidity. Firmly structured, yet finely balanced. This will need more time.