2019 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d’Ulisse
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Tasting notes
A medium red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Cielo D'Ulisse is the fourth vintage coming from the vineyards overlooking the Ombrone River. It’s wonderfully expressive and cascades from the glass with aromas of wild Mediterranean herbs, dusty earth, ripe raspberry, fresh leather, and porcini. Medium-bodied, it’s graceful through the palate, with fine tannins, even acidity, and clean mineral accents. It’s a very appealing wine with a lot of character to enjoy over the next 15 years. Podere Le Ripi is located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate and was founded by Francesco Illy in 1997. Today its production is led by head winemaker Sebastian Nasello. They are situated at approximately 200 meters elevation and are practicing biodynamic viticulture.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The Podere le Ripi 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse comes from a four-hectare site with deep sandy soils. This wine is silky in texture with a softly tactile approach. On the bouquet, I get pressed flower, vapor rub, white pepper and blackcurrant. I recommend a shorter drinking window for this 16,000-bottle release.
Dark and intense, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Cielo d'Ulisse entices with a burst of exotic spice, zests of tangerine, cedar shavings and rum-soaked cherries. This is cool-toned and racy in style, with crisp wild berry fruits enhanced by vibrant acidity. Violet inner florals arch across the palate. This maintains momentum even as crunchy tannins descend upon the senses, leaving a stain of tart cranberry and orange slowly fading. I expect that three to five years of cellaring will reveal a Brunello of boundless energy. The Cielo d'Ulisse is a single vineyard wine that hails from vineyards in the extreme southwest of Montalcino.
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Hints of oak and roasted coffee bean with cool red fruit underneath. Lush cherry-fruit palate with firm tannins on the finish. (WS)