Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 95
Stella di Campalto is a woman of sass and moxie, and both those traits come forward in the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. With 5,700 bottles made, Stella only makes Brunello Riserva at this point because she prefers to hold her wines back longer at the winery before their commercial release. This vintage shows volume and mid-weight body with dark fruit flavors followed by spice, tar and licorice. Despite the heat of the vintage, Stella farms on a cool, breezy side of the appellation near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, and her wines always show bright acidity as a result. That freshness makes all the difference in a hot and dry vintage like 2012.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2035
Vinous 93
Very bright light red. Aromas and flavors of strawberry, sour red cherry, orange peel and violet. Tart and fresh on entry, then picks up volume and flesh with aeration. Finishes suave and long, with a repeating note of violet and sour red cherry. A very clean, pure wine but that strikes me as a little less fleshy and ripe than some other recent Brunellos from Stella di Campalto.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2030
