Voliero - Brunello di Montalcino 2019

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93 Points, Luca Gardini, Gardini Notes: "The second ilcinese project by Andrea Cortonesi, patròn of Uccelliera, a decidedly identity Brunello. Nose that opens on notes of cranberry, then reminders of caper fruit and powder licorice. Briny on the palate, with a memory of licorice hints, with delightful persistence." 10/23

Voliero Description

In 2006, Andrea Cortonesi put a lot of miles on his car. Already the founder, proprietor, vigneron and winemaker for the Uccelliera estate, he was also running his own restaurant in Siena called Il Casato. It was in his capacity as restaurateur that the Voliero label was born: a friend of his in Montalcino offered him grapes from his cru vineyard in northern Montalcino to make a wine just for the restaurant. There was never enough Uccelliera wines to go around, so he accepted the idea to produce a second label.

In 2010, Antonio Galloni was visiting the estate and tasted the Voliero wines. He flipped his lid for them! With such high praise, even though Cortonesi had not intended Voliero for export, the wines immediately found an audience abroad and Grapes The Wine Company was one of the first clients in the United States.

Production is still very limited, with only about 600 cases of Brunello and 400 cases of Rosso produced.

Vinous: 96 Points

"A mentholated freshness introduces the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino, as a vibrant wave of crushed cherries, mint leaf, clove and dusty roses make up its absolutely gorgeous bouquet. This is silky and enveloping yet lifted and full of energy, with crunchy red berry fruits that leave a crackle of primary concentration toward the close. It finishes pretty saline and spicy in character, leaving edgy tannins to mingle with a residual bump of acidity that maintains a wonderfully fresh sensation as tart cranberry notes fade. This is one of the most exciting young renditions of Voliero I have ever tasted. It captivates with its precision and spry personality while holding depths of complexity in reserve. Wow." 11/23 - 96 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous

James Suckling: 93 Points

"Aromas of dried fruits, figs and tobacco leaves with an underlying nutty note. Refreshing acidity. Medium to full-bodied. Savory yet succulent finish. Better after 2026." 09/23 - 93 Points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com

Wine Advocate: 93 Points

"The Voliero 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has ripe cherry fruit and blackberry, with soft and ripe layering throughout. This wine shows the rich and plump side of 2019, a vintage that offers more concentration than average. Dark fruit flavors cede to spice, earth and toasted chestnut husk. This wine shows solid, chalky tannins. Some 7,600 bottles (and larger formats) were made, and they're almost ready straight out of the gate." 12/23 - 93 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: