95
James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com
"Aromas of ripe fruit such as sweet strawberries and hints of orange peel and chocolate. Medium to full body, soft and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Riper style. Drink or hold. "
94+ Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Giancarlo Pacenti knows his land well and is a skillful farmer, especially with regards to navigating a challenging vintage like this. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne boasts a beautifully saturated ruby color that appears healthy and bright. The aromas are presented with precision and balance. A wine like this offers irrefutable evidence that old vines are the best remedy in a hot and dry vintage. The wine's various elements are intact and focused. Dark cherry, candied plum, exotic spice, tar and licorice form a united front. I prefer this vintage to 2011."
93+ Ian Dagata - Vinous Media
"Dark red with an amber tinge. Ripe red cherry, sweet spices, grilled beef and blood orange, plus hints of cedar and new oak. Enters sweet and broad, then tighter and structured, but with refined tannins providing support to the sweetly spicy red fruit flavors. The finish is long and very pure. There’s a depth to this wine that the classico bottling does not have, a dpeth of flavor that derives from the old vines; spent 24 montsh in 70-80% new oak. "
93 Wine Spectator
"This is full of cherry and plum flavors, accented by leather, tobacco and iron notes. Solidly structured and taut, balanced and long, with a dense mix of fruit, mineral, spice and tannins on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2036. 1,700 cases made. "
92 Wine Enthusiast
" Pronounced mature plum, black-skinned berry, vanilla, dark spice and French oak aromas lift out of the glass. The firm palate delivers dried wild cherry, roasted coffee, licorice and cocoa notes, while compact tannins provide support. Drink 2020–2028."