96 Points - IWR - 95 Points - James Suckling. "A classically elegant Brunello di Montalcino with fantastic structure and plenty of dark fruit character. A dream wine for foodies, as it pairs well with endless dishes. The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows dark fruit with dried cherry, blackcurrant and plum, then softer spice with toasted almond and grilled herb. A classic expression of the crisp but sunny 2016 vintage with a food-friendly personality.  An absolute steal! 

Taste

The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella shows dark fruit with dried cherry, blackcurrant and plum, then softer spice with toasted almond and grilled herb. A classic expression of the crisp but sunny 2016 vintage with a food-friendly personality.

Wine Press

96/100 - International Wine Report

95/100 - James Suckling

"Aromas of plums, dried flowers and black cherries follow through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins that are chewy, yet polished and savory. Flavorful and delicious. Goes on for minutes. Drink after 2024."

94/100 - Robert Parker

The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella shows dark fruit with dried cherry, blackcurrant and plum. On a second wave of aromas, you encounter softer spice with toasted almond, tilled earth and grilled herb. This is a classic expression of the crisp but sunny 2016 vintage with an open and food-friendly personality. There is a playful touch of sweet cherry on the close. Fruit is sourced from the La Mannella zone, one of the coolest growing areas in the appellation at moderate 350 meters above sea level. Winemaking is traditional, using 30-hectoliter Slavonian oak for three years of slow aging, and this reinforces all those fun berry notes on display in the 25,000-bottle release.

About the Producer

Tommaso Cortonesis grandfather bought La Mannella in the 1970s. The estate spreads over 56 hectares, eight of which produce Brunello di Montalcino. The major vineyard is around the winery at La Mannella, just north of Montalcino itself, but there is another vineyard near Castelnuovo dell Abate, to the south-east of the town. Originally just one Brunello was made, a blend from the two separate vineyards, but in the 1990s, Tommaso and his father realised that the two vineyards had distinctly different soil composition.