2018 Lupi e Sirene, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Podere Le Ripi (6 x Bottle)
Tasting note
Deep coloured, the nose is powerful, complex and multi faceted, with black fruits, sweet red cherry, tobacco, liquorice and violets. The palate is immense yet maintains fine freshness and beautiful proportion, with ripe tannins starting to soften.
Our thoughts
Despite being a relatively new name on the Montalcino scene, Francesco Illy’s Podere Le Ripi employs a distinctly old-school winemaking approach, shunning new oak in favour of prolonged ageing in large barrels and cement tanks. The impressively complex, layered nose on this wine speaks of such a regime, while the heraldic label reflects Illy’s sense of humour – a pack of male wolves in a state of some excitement on account of the presence of alluring mermaids, added at Illy’s request.
2018 Lupi e Sirene, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Podere Le Ripi (6 x Bottle)
Tasting note
Deep coloured, the nose is powerful, complex and multi faceted, with black fruits, sweet red cherry, tobacco, liquorice and violets. The palate is immense yet maintains fine freshness and beautiful proportion, with ripe tannins starting to soften.
Our thoughts
Despite being a relatively new name on the Montalcino scene, Francesco Illy’s Podere Le Ripi employs a distinctly old-school winemaking approach, shunning new oak in favour of prolonged ageing in large barrels and cement tanks. The impressively complex, layered nose on this wine speaks of such a regime, while the heraldic label reflects Illy’s sense of humour – a pack of male wolves in a state of some excitement on account of the presence of alluring mermaids, added at Illy’s request.
| Producer | Podere Le Ripi |
|---|---|
| Sub-Region | Montalcino |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Country | Italy |
| Grape Variety | Sangiovese Grosso |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Colour | Red |
| ABV | 14.00% |
| Style | Full , Dry |
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Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene comes from a two-hectare site with dark soils located east of Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The bouquet evokes ripe fruit and raspberry jam, and there are drying notes of clay, candied orange peel and desiccated rose. I also get an earthy note with compost, garden soil, wild mint and fennel. The wine’s balsam character is quite strong. Production is 12,300 bottles and 400 magnums.
92 Points / Drinking 2024 - 2035
By Monica Larner / December 2023
Vinous
There’s a woodsy character to the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene, as wild herbs, young plums, crushed rocks and flowery underbrush form its bouquet. This is seamlessly silky and harmonious within, displaying masses of tart cherry and mineral tones contrasted by a core of vibrant acids. The 2018 keeps the energy high, even as grippy tannins saturate the palate, creating a youthfully structured yet incredibly fresh Brunello. That said, and while already bottled, the 2018 Riserva is just an infant today, and will need to soften and come fully into focus.
91-94 Points / Drinking 2026 - 2033
By Eric Guido / December 2022
Vinous
An enticing blend of dusty rose, cinnamon and clove gives way to lifting traces of mint and dried strawberries as the sweetly spiced 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene blossoms in the glass. This is pure elegance, with velvety textures guided by fresh acidity and polished red and blue fruits complicated by a savory herbal thrust toward the close. The balance here is otherworldly. The 2018 finishes with unexpected vibrancy despite a web of fine tannins that grumble on as licorice notes slowly fade. Packed full of character and holding its power in reserve, the 2018 is a textural thrill ride. This is on a beautiful, yet slow, path to maturity.
94 Points / Drinking 2025 - 2032
By Eric Guido / December 2023