San Filippo 'Le Lucere' Riserva Brunello di Montalcino 2018 - 750ml

96pts James Suckling

Bright, generous, open aromas of raspberries, strawberry ice cream, mint and licorice. The attack is rich, with a full body, graphite minerality, great concentration and savory blood orange flavors in the finish. Very ripe, velvety, well-integrated tannins with crisp acidity.

95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The San Filippo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva le Lucére offers a multifaceted bouquet that starts off on a creamy note with Nutella or Kinder chocolate but then quickly transforms into iris root, clean earth, pencil shaving, licorice root, dried cranberry and trail mix. The oak influences are strong, showing hints of toasted coconut at one point, and the wine ends with chalky tannins. There is a lot of complexity, and this is the best edition of this Riserva that I have tasted so far.

92pts Wine Spectator

This red's core flavors of cherry and blackberry are appealing, yet a broad wave of tannins builds through the finish. Accents of iron, eucalyptus and oak spice complete the profile. Offers fine length if not the finish of the best '18s. Best from 2026 through 2040. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Winemaker Notes

The color is ruby red with reflexes verging on garnet. The perfume is intense, fine and elegant, with notes of cherries preserved in alcohol, enriched with spices redolent of cinnamon and cloves. On the palate it explodes in all its fineness and elegance thanks to the dense and silky tannins. Excellent body that renders the flavour harmonious and persistent. Excellent nose-mouth correspondence.

Situated in the splendid area of Northern Montalcino close to Biondi Santi’s Il Greppo and La Serena, the wines of San Filippo are ageworthy and elegant, though very approachable in their youth. The estate totals 22 hectares, 11 of which are under vine, dedicated mostly to Sangiovese, with a small olive grove as well. Founded in 1972 (1977 was the first year of production), the estate was recently purchased by Roberto Giannelli who restored and renovated the entire facility. With the help of Paolo Caciorgna, Roberto is producing 2500 cases of Brunello aged in Slavonian and Allier oak casks each year, as well as 800 cases of a delicious Rosso di Montalcino aged 6 months in used barriques and large casks.