Casisano Brunello di Montalcino 'Colombaiolo' Riserva

Jeb Dunnuck, Mar/2023

2017 -

"The 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva offers more substance, with stewed black cherry, medicinal herbs, and dried leather. It is medium to full-bodied on the palate, with more black cherry, black raspberry fruit, baked earth, and tea leaf, followed by rich mineral notes on the finish and a warming feel. Drink 2023-2030."

James Suckling, Nov/2022

2017 -

"This is a rich and plummy Brunello with cedar and sandalwood, sweet spices, dried cherries and prunes on the nose. Full-bodied with dense, ripe tannins. Lingering sweet, dried fruit. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

Decanter, Nov/2022

2017 -

"As of 2017, this Riserva spends its first year in second-passage French oak tonneaux to aid tannin integration and stabilisation of colour and aromas. This is followed by a further three years in larger Slavonian oak casks. With a brick-edged hue and oxidative nuances, Colombaiolo initially presents as fully mature yet youthful wood-driven aromas of cedar and spice waft atop. There is freshness on the mid-palate as concentrated acidity penetrates ripe blackberry flavours. The grippy tannins are a bit brusque and forced, and this seems to aspire more to power than elegance."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Oct/2022

2017 -

"Dark and savory in the glass, the aromatics of the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Colombaiolo reminds me more of rich and rustic cuisine than wine. It splashes across the palate with soft textures, and balsamic-tinged red fruits as saline minerals collect toward the close. This leaves a coating of fine tannins and a mix of clove and sour citrus to linger, finishing with ample length and surprisingly fresh. Balance has been achieved here, a feat from the 2017 vintage..."

Wine Spectator, Jun/2022

2016 -

"A rich style, with cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors. Harmonious, building complexity on the palate and persisting on the finish, where tobacco and savory herb notes emerge. Drink now through 2036."

Decanter, Nov/2021

2016 -

"One of 10 parcels surrounding the estate, Colombaiolo is a southeast-facing site on schistous clay soil reaching almost 500 metres above sea level. It is aged in 18 and 25-hectolitre Slavonian oak casks. Wet woodland scents make way for decisive blood orange and pomegranate, while subtle accents of liquorice, chopped mint and incense flirt demurely. Midweight, tart and tangy, this is not a flashy Brunello. Instead, it is rather angular in shape though elegantly framed. A salivating stoniness and mouth-watering acidity eclipse fine-boned tannins. It should unfold gracefully over the next decade."

James Suckling, Feb/2022

2016 -

"Aromas of dried cherries, walnuts and chestnuts follow through to a medium body with firm, silky tannins and a creamy finish. Succulent sour-cherry undertones at the finish. Drink now."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Nov/2021

2016 -

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Colombaiolo lifts up with an intriguing, dark and dusty bouquet, pulling you close with nuances of dried flowers, currants, plum skins and hints of mocha. This is elegant and rich, featuring polished, textural red fruits and exotic spices energized by bright acidity, even as firming tannins mount toward the finale. The Colombaiolo takes a turn toward the savory spectrum, finishing with wild herbal tones, tobacco and a bitter twang of cacao. There’s no arguing the depth and balance of the 2016 Riserva, but from this vintage, I prefer the harmony found in the straight Brunello."

Wine Enthusiast, Apr/2022

2016 -

"Packaged in an excessively heavy bottle, this has aromas of baked plum, underbrush and tobacco with a whiff of violet. The medium-bodied, no-frills palate offers dried cherry, blood orange and licorice alongside fine-grained tannins." - Kerin O'Keefe

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Mar/2023

2016 -

"...the Casisano 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Colombaiolo shows dark fruit intensity, spice and licorice thanks to the vintage and a medium-dark appearance..."

Wine Spectator, Jun/2021

2015 -

"Ripe and supple, boasts cherry, raspberry and plum flavors, augmented by juniper, thyme and earth notes. It firms up, staying balanced and long as fruit, savory and mineral elements converge on the finish. Best from 2024 through 2047."

Decanter, Mar/2021

2015 -

"Since taking over the Casisano property in 2015, the Tommasi family has revived the estate’s Riserva from the low yielding Colombaiolo parcel. It opens with pretty lilac, violet and woodland nuances. Full but not heavy, it's fluid in texture with gracious powdery tannins. It possesses an underlying juiciness with accents of strawberry and orange which linger on the appetising finish. The wine’s elegance is at odds with the heavy bottle it is currently packaged in."

Wine & Spirits, Apr/2022

2015 -

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Feb/2022

2015 -

"Packaged in a heavy glass bottle, the Casisano 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Colombaiolo shows leather, spice, dried fruit, baked plum and potting soil. The wine opens to medium intensity with a relatively short finish ... Only 4,500 bottles were made, and this bottle is best suited for near-term consumption."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Jul/2019

2013 -

"From the Tommasi family in Northern Italy, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Colombaiolo opens to elegant delineation with precise aromas of dark cherry, spice, balsam herb and fragrant licorice. This wine delivers a mid-weight approach that is gracefully supported by silky tannins, balanced acidity and a pretty inner fabric that is characteristic of Sangiovese in a cool vintage such as this."

Wine Spectator, Jun/2019

2013 -

"Rich, with a supple texture wrapped around cherry, plum, earth, leather and bitter almond flavors. The vibrant acidity adds freshness as this dissolves into a finish of dense, lively tannins. Best from 2021 through 2040. 333 cases made, 10 cases imported."

Decanter, Feb/2019

2013 -

"Purchased by the Tommasi family in March 2015, Casisano is among the highest properties in Montalcino. Colombaiolo is a particularly fresh southeast-facing parcel, where the gravelly soil gives naturally low yields and wines with abundant structure. This is not explosive in its aromas of cherry, dried tarragon, tea and tobacco but they are nicely defined. More sinewy than round, the palate needs some time to flesh out but its bright acidity will keep it lively."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Mar/2019

2013 -

"Luminous red-ruby color. Red apple, blood orange and strawberry aromas and flavors offer satisfying juiciness and a subtle quality, with an undertone of lemon peel. Clean and linear, but slightly lean on the vibrant, medium-long finish. I like this wine for its faithfulness to the year, when making a blockbuster wine was next to impossible; in fact, this tastes more like a high quality Rosso di Montalcino than a Brunello, but it’s full of early appeal and will prove very food friendly."

Wine Spectator, 2018

2012 -

"Elegant yet powerful, with cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors pulsing throughout. Wild herb and spicy accents ride the lingering finish. Best from 2021 through 2035."

Decanter Magazine, Feb/2018

2012 -

“Colombaiolo represents the estate’s best parcel within the 22a property. Planted in 1993, the vines sit on stony, galestro soil. It sees an additional year of ageing in large Slavonian oak barrels compared to the annata, and is definitely a more firmly structured wine. At the moment, it is linear rather than round, gaining intrigue with saline orange peel, red cherry and leather notes.”

Wine Enthusiast, May/2018

2012 -

“Truffle, pressed blue flower, new leather and plum aromas meld together with a balsamic note. It’s tightly wound, offering dried black cherry, orange zest, crushed sage and star anise set against taut tannins that grip the finish. Drink 2021–2028.”

Michael Godel, Wine Align, Mar/2018

2011 -

Tommasi's Colombaiolo Brunello is the pinnacle of their tier from grapes sourced out of the 1991 planted, hectare and a half single vineyard on the Sant'Angelo in Colle Casisano estate. This 2011 is Tomassi's first vintage though a wine has been made from Colombaiolo fruit since 1996. Fermented in wood vats and then aged ion Slavonian casks. No French wood is used, as per the direction of oenologist Emiliano Falsini. The '11 dovetails as only Riserva can so "dream, if you can, a courtyard, an ocean of violets in bloom." This is an ethereal prince of Brunello di Montalcino thieves, thick as black cherry liqueur, sumptuous, chalky, coming down like purple rain. It's the juice of a revolution, now integrated, evolved but as music that stands the test of time. It's also hard to get in its very structured way so you may find it too demanding or that you're yelling at each other. More time and reconciliation will bring you and it together. "This is what it sounds like, when doves cry." The finish is just on point, between balance and perfect. Drink 2019-2027. Tasted March 2018."

Wine Enthusiast, May/2017

2011 -

"Aromas of Mediterranean scrub, underbrush, berry, licorice and a balsamic note take shape on this. The aromas carry through to the rounded palate along with juicy cherry, grilled herb, cured meat, clove and a toasted note. Polished tannins provide the framework. It's already accessible and will offer loads of near and midterm pleasure. Drink through 2021."

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, Apr/2017

2011 -

"Good bright red. Black and red cherry, spicy plum, tobacco and vanilla on the nose. Supple on entry, then more closed than Casisanos 2012 Brunello, with a slightly more austere mouthfeel and better precision. Tightly wound and almost brooding at first, then softens considerably with aeration to showcase dark plum, savory herb, tobacco and underbrush flavors. Finishes bright, long, and youthfully tannic. Made from the best parcel of vines on the Casisano estate."

Wine Spectator, Online Only 2017

2011 -

"A soft, open red, with leather, tobacco and fading berry flavors. Approachable now, but the bright structure should support this for another decade. Drink now through 2027. 10 cases imported."

Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, Feb/2017

2011 -

"This is the first vintage of Brunello made by the Tommasi family (of the Veneto in Northern Italy), since it purchased this estate in this prestigious Tuscan appellation. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a dark and balanced red wine that shows thick texture and succulent fruit flavors of black currant and prune. The wine is thickly layered and dense, but it also shows good balance and a fresh spot of acidity that keeps it from feeling too heavy."

Decanter Magazine

2011 -

"Deep, mature shade. Rich, traditional nose with sweet fruit and hints of lavender. Full-bodied, fleshy, soft and round palate with mature tannins and notes of liquorice and dried mushroom. Ready to drink."