“These are wines of the very highest level, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.” – Vinous

Does their Pelagrilli from this past Spring ring a bell? Came and went fast, so it’s okay if it does not. What we are doing today, though, is taking things UP a couple of notches with gnarly old vines yet deepening the discount. You heard that right. They bottle the Pelagrilli, a PS, and this ultra-rare Vecchie Vigne label, so we’re going all the way to the top today!

Siro Pacenti is synonymous with cult Brunello. If you’re not familiar with them or wondered about why they earned Wine of the Year somewhere in the past, when it’s near impossible to find them out there, it’s your lucky day as we have the 97-point flagship Siro Pacenti under $60 after a never-before-seen $100 OFF. Unheard of, and while it lasts again.

Per Vinous “Pacenti is by far the leading exponent of the modern school of Brunello di Montalcino. No other producer has succeeded in crafting wines of this much textural beauty and refinement.”

James Suckling echoes that sentiment with a little more background, “Located on the northern slopes of Montalcino, Siro Pacenti is a leader in the appellation. Founded in 1970, the winery is known for creating racy, powerful wines. In 1988, when management passed to Giancarlo Pacenti, Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino were bottled for the first time. The Brunellos are now raised from family-owned vineyards in both the north and south of Montalcino, giving them a beautiful balance of richness and freshness. They remain a benchmark for Montalcino and all of Italy.”

Mind you, though, if you prefer your Brunelli to be on the light, more ethereal side, look the other way. Should intensity and richness be rocking your boat, you came to the right place! This has oodles of jam-packed fruits, black and red, dried, and fresh. When Walter Speller of Jancis Robinson wrote “my bet is it will be more than worth the wait,” he sure as hell knew what he was talking about!

But don’t wait too long, this too will go “poof” before we know it.

97 Points – Raffaele Vecchione “Polyhedric and decidedly ‘wild’ in the mixed floral and fruity profile showing notes of lavender, hibiscus, hyacinth, plums, pressed blueberries, white pepper, crushed chalk, guaranà, pink grapefruit and pomegranate. Medium to full bodied, concentrated and harmonic closing by tightening from the centre palate onwards in search of a notable persistency. Better from 2024.”

96 Points – James Suckling “This is focused, firm and well structured, with a classy nose of blackberries, cherry stones, white truffles, tea leaves and cloves. Earth and bark, too. Medium-to full-bodied with a tight tannin frame. Racy and linear. Mineral. Tight at the end. Try in 2026.”

95 Points – Falstaff “Clear ruby with a fine garnet edge. Clear and memorable nose of blackberries, fresh plums, with hints of cloves and undergrowth behind. Plenty of ripe, juicy fruit on the palate, opens with clear, finely meshed tannin, embedded in sweet texture, rich drive on the finish.”

18/20 Points – Jancis Robinson “Deep ruby. Exotic, lifted raspberry and cassis nose and a hint of passion fruit, and oak that is almost completely absorbed by the fruit. The nose description might sound completely bizarre, but it is hugely attractive. Succulent and ripe but with real fruit focus on the palate. Tons of dry, but not rough, tannins and fantastic depth and balance. Super-compelling but needs more bottle age for the tannins to settle and integrate. My bet is it will be more than worth the wait.”