2015 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 750 ml

From 100-point winemaker Carlo Ferrini, Decanter’s “Italian Master” and the man whose reds seduce us vintage after vintage, comes this dual 95-point Brunello. It shows that when the stars align, few wines in the world rival Brunello di Montalcino for finesse, elegance, and class. 

Now, after five years of slumber following the incredible 2015 vintage, the Castello Romitorio Brunello is singing. As soon as we put our nose in the glass, we were in love with this textbook Tuscan beauty. It shows an enticing ruby-brick-colored core, aromas of dried rose petals, tons of red-fruit complexity, and the savory herbal notes and lively acidity that showcase why Brunello is a must-have in the cellar. Today, we have this beacon of Tuscan terroir—a Wine Access member-favorite and perennial sellout—for a song.

This crimson red outscored its sellout-inducing predecessors not once, but twice: James Suckling gave it 95 points (his highest ever for this wine), and Wine Advocate cheered its “natural richness and exuberance” in their 95-point review. 

As soon as we snapped out of our momentary reverie, we raced to get an allocation of this wine, and have secured 56 cases for Wine Access members.

Castello Romitorio is located in the hills of Tuscany, interspersed with forest teeming with wolves, deer, foxes, and wild boar, and the only thing more spectacular than its landscape is its story. It likely dates back to Roman times—first it was a temple, then a fortress and monastery, then a shelter for shepherds and their flocks. It was abandoned during WWII and sat in disrepair until the 1980s, when it was rescued from decay by Sandro Chia, one of the most famous artists in Italy. Chia has returned the castle and its grounds to their former glory, utilizing Carlo Ferrini’s top talent every step of the way. 

The 2015 showcases Ferrini’s skills and the rugged Romitorio terroir, erupting with a combination of wild strawberries, fresh cherries, and the classic Tuscan medley of tobacco, tomato leaf, and leathery spice that’s impossible to resist.

Whether it belongs to a wide-ranging collector, a dyed-in-the-wool devotee of Italian varieties, or just a lover of red wine, absolutely every cellar should have a rock-solid Brunello at the ready—one that delivers classic Brunello elegance and complexity without breaking the bank. This 2015 Castello Romitorio is it.