When the last member of the Piccolomini family died in 1985, this classic and very reputable property was taken over by Giuseppe Bianchini. In 2004, son Paolo and daughter Lucia took over the place after the father passed away. This historic property is located in the south-eastern corner of the Montalcino district, called Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The magnificent cellar forms the entire foundation of the beautiful “Palazzo,” built back in the 17th century by the Bishop of Montalcino. In this basement, the oldest vintages of the property are stored (it is still possible to visit the cellar by appointment).
Ciacci Piccolomini currently has 200 ha of agricultural land, of which approx. 40 is laid out for wine production. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are grown here, but the heart child is of course Montalcino’s special clone of Sangiovese Grosso called Brunello.
The property produces three varieties of Brunello di Montalcino, which belong to the absolute elite at their respective levels. They are designed in an updated traditional style that meets modern oenological insights, but storage takes place, following tradition, on large botti of Slavonic oak, and not on French barriques, which some manufacturers prefer. It produces very clean and fruity wines that are not dominated by secondary aromas from the casks and allows the grape’s delicate and nuanced character to unfold undisturbed. The three Brunellos from Ciacci Piccolomini combine the power with the elegance and are all immensely complex. They have the coveted velvet texture and deep, rich flavor that makes the area’s finest wines praised as some of the most excellent expressions of Sangiovese, Tuscany’s great blue grape.
Ciacci Piccolomini also produces two highly acclaimed Rosso di Montalcinos – a “regular” and a single-field version Rossofonte, which in good vintages approaches a small Brunello. In addition, the wicked “Ateo” is produced on a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and the cool and eminent “Fabius” on 100% Syrah, which is one of Italy’s finest on this grape variety.