Ciacci Piccolomini D'Aragona Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino 2020
DOCG

Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona
Vintages 2021 2020 2019 2010

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona's Brunello is 100% Sangiovese from southern Montalcino, grown on Eocene marl at Castelnuovo dell'Abate and aged over two years in Slavonian oak. Expect ripe cherry, leather, tobacco and balsamic spice with firm tannin.

UK Market From £34.03 Found across 3 retailers
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Tasting Notes

Inside a glass of Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello

What 15,000-plus Vivino reviewers and critics like Kerin O'Keefe find in this 100% Sangiovese from southern Montalcino: ripe cherry, leather, tobacco and balsamic spice over firm, velvety tannin.

Tasted by
ItalianWines editorial
Tasted on
6 June 2026
Source
Drinker consensus · confidence Medium
Taste profile
Body Light / Full
Tannins Smooth / Grippy
Sweetness Dry / Sweet
Acidity Soft / Crisp
Nose

Ciacci Piccolomini's Brunello opens fragrant and lifted, with the ripe wild berry, dog rose and Mediterranean scrub that Kerin O'Keefe singles out in the estate's recent vintages. Beneath the fruit sit the leather, tobacco, smoke and sweet oak that Vivino's 15,000-plus reviewers most often log, plus a violet and camphor note typical of this warm, southern Montalcino site at Castelnuovo dell'Abate.

VioletViolet
Black cherryBlack cherry
CherryCherry
PlumPlum
TobaccoTobacco
Forest FloorForest Floor
LeatherLeather
OakOak
LiquoriceLiquorice
Palate

Full-bodied and warm at 14.5 to 15% abv, this 100% Sangiovese carries Morello cherry, raspberry and liquorice over firm, velvety tannins, with the bright acidity that keeps southern Montalcino Brunello fresh. The Eocene-marl vineyards at 240 to 360 metres and over two years in 20 to 85 hl Slavonian oak botti give the structure and savoury, balsamic edge drinkers describe as earthy and tobacco-laced.

Finish

The close is long and savoury, leaving liquorice, dried herb and the saline, iodine-tinged minerality Italian critics flag in Ciacci's recent Brunello, over fine-grained tannin that calls for cellaring or decanting.

Overall

A polished, sun-driven style of Brunello from the Bianchini family's southern Montalcino estate, sitting above Rosso di Montalcino but below the single-vineyard Pianrosso in their range. Vivino's crowd rates it 4.3 from over 15,000 ratings and critics regularly score recent vintages 95 to 98, with most reviewers praising its ripe, balanced, ageworthy character. Best after several years in bottle alongside game and aged cheese.

Live UK pricing

Buying Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello in the UK

Live UK listings for the annata Brunello span roughly GBP 34 to 82 across vintages, with the 2019, 2020 and 2021 most current. Older releases like the 2010 turn up in limited quantity.

Best price · 75 cl £34.03 at 8wines
Price spread £34.03 – £82.00 Across 3 UK retailers tracked
Retailers tracked 3UK 3 in stock
Vintages live 2021 · 2020 · 2019 Current release: 2021
Per-litre (75 cl basis) £45.37 Per-litre price for the lowest current offer
Last checked 7 Jun 2026, 14:13 BST Refreshed once every 24 hours
Wine fit score

How this Brunello scores for food, value and cellaring

A genuine cellar and food wine that rates strongly for special occasions, this 95-to-98-point Sangiovese is a considered buy rather than an everyday pour.

Best with food 9.0/10

Medium-firm Sangiovese tannin with bright acidity makes this a classic table Brunello for red meat, game and aged cheese, the very pairings Ciacci and Vivino reviewers cite.

Best for an occasion 8.8/10

A prestige Tuscan DOCG from a respected Montalcino estate, regularly scoring 95 to 98 with critics, which makes it a strong gift and special-occasion choice.

Best for cellar 8.6/10

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG mandates around five years of ageing and over two years in Slavonian oak; firm tannin and critic drink windows running to 2036 to 2039 make this a genuine cellar wine.

Best value 7.8/10

At a live entry price around GBP 34 to 52 it sits at or just below the typical UK price for annata Brunello di Montalcino, so it is a fair to good value for a 95-to-98-point-rated DOCG.

Scoring is rule-based and deterministic. The model and weightings are documented in our editorial methodology.

Denomination Compliance Snapshot

Brunello di Montalcino in five fields

A compact view of what the Brunello di Montalcino denomination actually requires, and how this bottle sits inside it. Pulled from the official Italian disciplinare.

Allowed grapes
1 varieties listed
This bottle: Sangiovese.
Minimum ageing
Recorded by producer
Disciplinare ageing rule not yet recorded.
Region / area
Comune di Montalcino, Toscana
Source: Editorial.
Style
DOCG · Brunello di Montalcino
Classification
DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)
What that means →
Retailer Shortlist

Where to Buy

Compare tracked offers from verified retailers at a glance. Stock is shown only where the retailer exposes it. Logos, sale pricing, and the strongest offer are surfaced first.

Best Live Price £34.03
Retailers Tracked 3
Last Checked 7 Jun 2026
8wines logo

8wines

Best price In stock
Vintage 2019
£34.03
£45.37/L · checked 30 May
Visit retailer
75 cl · On sale (was £42.73) · Low stock confidence
8wines logo

8wines

In stock
Vintage 2021
£38.79
£51.72/L · checked 30 May
Visit retailer
75 cl · On sale (was £51.70) · Low stock confidence
Decantalo logo

Decantalo

Awaiting restock
Vintage 2020
£75.09
£100.12/L · checked 7 Jun
Notify me
75 cl · Low stock confidence
Vintages

2010 to 2021: how Ciacci's vintages compare

From the classic, balanced 2010 to the warm, structured 2019, 2020 and 2021, each vintage reflects southern Montalcino's sun-driven character. Critic scores run from 93 up to 98.

2021 Current release
Lowest price
£38.79
Retailers
1 in stock
ABV
15.0%
Window
Drink now through 2036

A highly rated vintage: Kerin O'Keefe scored Ciacci's 2021 a 95, with James Suckling at 96. Camphor, ripe dark fruit, violet and new leather over enveloping, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. A wine for patient cellaring, drinking 2028 to 2036.

2020 Previous release
Lowest price
£51.41
Retailers
0 in stock · 2 awaiting restock
ABV
15.0%
Window
Drink now through 2035

A warm, structured vintage from southern Montalcino. Kerin O'Keefe scored Ciacci's 2020 a 95 and James Suckling 96, citing ripe wild berry, blue flower and dark spice framed in firm, velvety tannins. The 15% alcohol reflects a hot year; best from 2029.

2019 Previous release
Lowest price
£34.03
Retailers
1 in stock
ABV
15.0%
Window
Drink now through 2039

An outstanding vintage for Brunello: Kerin O'Keefe gave Ciacci's 2019 a 98, with James Suckling at 96 and Vinous at 95. Heady red berry, dog rose and Mediterranean scrub over refined, tightly woven tannins. Built for the cellar, with a drinking window of 2027 to 2039.

2010 Previous release
Lowest price
£82.00
Retailers
1 in stock
ABV
14.5%
Window
Drink now through 2030

A classic, balanced Montalcino vintage praised across the board: Vinous scored Ciacci's 2010 Brunello 94 points, calling it pure and elegant with fresh dark cherry, plum, aged balsamic and wet-stone notes carried by silky, ripe tannins. Now in its mature window, with cellaring potential to 2030.

Drink-now / hold guidance reflects general style cues for this wine, not a forecast for a specific bottle. Where vintage-level editorial notes exist, they appear above.

The disciplinare, the place, the label

Why Ciacci's Brunello is priced where it is

A DOCG that mandates around five years of ageing, over two years in Slavonian oak botti, and estate bottling at Castelnuovo dell'Abate all sit behind the price of this Sangiovese.

01

DOC, DOCG, IGT: what the badges mean

Italian wine law sorts bottles into a pyramid. DOCG sits at the top: tightly drawn boundaries, prescribed grapes, mandatory ageing, government tasting before release. DOC is the same idea with looser thresholds. IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) is broader still, requiring only that 85% of the grapes come from the named territory.

Brunello di Montalcino is in the DOCG tier. That is not a quality verdict, it is a description of how much freedom the producer has at vinification and ageing.

02

The denomination rules, in detail

  • Allowed grapes. 1 varieties listed in the disciplinare
  • Yield ceiling. 8.0 tonnes per hectare
  • Tasting panel. Mandatory pre-release tasting commission
03

Region and area context

Brunello di Montalcino falls within Tuscany , covering Comune di Montalcino, Toscana.

04

Reading the label

  • Ciacci Piccolomini d’AragonaProducer / estate
  • SangioveseGrape varieties (in declared order of dominance)
  • Brunello di Montalcino DOCGGeographic indication and quality tier
  • 2021Vintage (year of harvest)
  • 15.0% vol · 75 clAlcohol by volume and bottle size
  • Imbottigliato all’origineEstate-bottled
05

What sits behind the price of Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino

Tracked from
£34.03
Direction
Mostly cost up
Drivers
5 up / 1 down
Main factor
DOCG five-year ageing before release
  1. 01

    DOCG five-year ageing before release

    Cost up

    Brunello di Montalcino DOCG cannot be sold until roughly five years after harvest, so Ciacci carries each vintage for years before any return, a cost baked into the GBP 40-plus shelf price.

  2. 02

    Over two years in 20-85 hl Slavonian oak botti

    Cost up

    Ciacci ages the wine more than 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks plus over 8 months in bottle, tying up cellar space and barrel stock far longer than an entry Tuscan red.

  3. 03

    100% Sangiovese from low-yield Montalcino hillsides

    Cost up

    DOCG caps yields at 8 tonnes per hectare on the estate's Eocene-marl slopes at 240-360 m, so each bottle reflects scarce, hand-managed fruit rather than high-volume cropping.

  4. 04

    Estate bottling and Montalcino prestige

    Cost up

    Estate-bottled at Castelnuovo dell'Abate by a respected producer whose recent vintages score 95 to 98, the Brunello name and Ciacci's reputation both command a premium.

  5. 05

    UK duty and VAT on a still wine

    Cost up

    At 2026 HMRC rates a still wine up to 15% abv carries GBP 2.67 excise duty, and 20% VAT applies on top, together accounting for several pounds of a roughly GBP 45 UK price.

  6. 06

    Annata, not the single-vineyard Pianrosso

    Cost down

    This is the standard annata Brunello rather than Ciacci's single-vineyard Pianrosso or Riserva, so it sits well below those bottlings while keeping full Brunello DOCG pedigree.

Perfect Pairings

Dishes that complement this wine

Fiorentina steak, plated

Fiorentina steak
Brasato al Barolo on stoneware bowl with Bay Leaf, Beef Chuck, Carrot

Brasato al Barolo
Porcini mushroom risotto, plated

Porcini mushroom risotto
Ossobuco alla Milanese on stoneware bowl with Beef Broth, Carrot, Celery

Ossobuco alla Milanese
Pecorino sardo e pan carasau on stoneware bowl with Honey, Olive Oil, Pan Carasau

Pecorino sardo e pan carasau
Food Pairing

Sangiovese tannin and acidity: dishes that fit this Brunello

Ciacci recommends roasted and stewed game and red-meat ragout. The wine's firm tannin and bright acidity also carry Fiorentina steak, ossobuco, porcini and aged Pecorino.

Tannin softening Strong match

Grilled and roasted Tuscan red meat

Brunello's firm, velvety Sangiovese tannins need protein and fat to soften against. A charred bistecca or a Sunday roast coats the palate so the wine's grip reads as structure rather than astringency, while its savoury, balsamic edge echoes the seared crust.

Try with: Fiorentina steak · tagliata di manzo · roast beef · grilled lamb chops · More pairings →

Fat cutting Strong match

Slow braises and game ragout

The bright acidity that runs through this southern Montalcino Brunello slices through long-cooked, gelatinous braises and fat-rich ragouts. Ciacci's own notes point to stewed game and red-meat ragout, where the wine's cherry and liquorice keep heavy dishes lively.

Try with: Brasato al Barolo · ossobuco alla Milanese · wild boar ragout · pappardelle al cinghiale · More pairings →

Body matching Good match

Aged hard cheeses

Full-bodied at up to 15% abv, this Brunello stands up to salty, crystalline aged cheeses without being flattened. The salt in the cheese tames the tannin while the wine's dried-fruit and tobacco depth matches the cheese's nutty, savoury intensity.

Try with: aged Pecorino · Parmigiano Reggiano · mature Tuscan sheep cheese · More pairings →

Aromatic bridge Good match

Mushroom and truffle dishes

The forest-floor, leather and dried-herb notes Vivino reviewers consistently log in this wine bridge straight to earthy fungi. Porcini and truffle amplify the wine's savoury, balsamic register rather than competing with its ripe cherry fruit.

Try with: porcini risotto · tagliatelle al tartufo · mushroom pappardelle · More pairings →

Acidity matching Good match

Tomato-led Tuscan classics

Sangiovese and tomato share high acidity, so the wine harmonises rather than clashes with tomato-rich Tuscan cooking. The acidity refreshes between bites while the wine's structure carries the dish's herbs and slow-cooked meat.

Try with: pici al ragù · lasagne al forno · pappa al pomodoro with grilled meat · More pairings →

Avoid Clash

Delicate fish and chilli-sweet Asian dishes

This wine's firm tannin and 15% warmth overwhelm delicate seafood and turn metallic against oily fish, while chilli heat and sweet-sour sauces amplify the alcohol and flatten the fruit. Pour a coastal Italian white or a lighter red here instead.

Skip with: steamed sea bass · sushi · sweet-and-sour pork · green curry · oysters · Pairing guide →

Drinking + cellar

Cellaring Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino

With critic drink windows reaching 2036 to 2039 for recent vintages and firm, fine-grained tannin, this Brunello rewards a few years in the cellar; decant younger bottles before serving.

Drinking window
2028 → 2036

Peak around 2032. Best in the years above; holds without falling over either side.

Decanting
h1

A short splash decant softens the first-pour edge and opens the aromatics.

Cellar potential
High

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG mandates around five years of ageing and over two years in Slavonian oak; firm tannin and critic drink windows running to 2036 to 2039 make this a genuine cellar wine.

Buy now or wait?
Buy now

£34.03 is the lowest tracked offer for the current vintage and we have no signal of further discounting.

Sources & trust

Sources behind this Ciacci Piccolomini page

Prices & stock

Read directly from each retailer’s public product page once a day. Last refresh: 7 Jun 2026, 14:13 BST. We do not hold stock and we do not accept payment for placement.

Confidence · High
Tasting notes

Drawn from what drinkers consistently report on Vivino and Wine-Searcher, summarised in our own words. A crowd read across many tasters, not a single critic.

Confidence · Medium
Appellation rules & ageing

From the official Italian disciplinare for this denomination, cross-checked against the Ministry of Agriculture register.

Confidence · High
Why it costs what it costs

Our reading of the price, drawn from the disciplinare, public UK duty rates, and typical landed-cost benchmarks. Not a quote from the producer or a retailer.

Confidence · Medium
Drink window & cellar potential

Style guidance for this kind of wine at this price point. Treat it as advice, not a forecast for the bottle in your hand.

Confidence · Medium
Related

Explore Sangiovese, Brunello and Tuscany

Producer
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Tuscany
Grapes
Sangiovese
Denomination
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Region
Tuscany Region guide
Cuisine
Italian Cuisine 5 dishes paired

Common Questions

It is 100% Sangiovese, as required by the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. The fruit comes from Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona's vineyards on Eocene marl soils at 240 to 360 metres in southern Montalcino, around Castelnuovo dell'Abate.

The wine spends more than 24 months in 20 to 85 hectolitre Slavonian oak botti, followed by over 8 months in bottle before release. This sits within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG rule requiring roughly five years of total ageing, at least two of them in oak.

Recent vintages reward patience: critics give drinking windows running from the late 2020s into the late 2030s for the 2019, 2020 and 2021. Mature vintages such as the 2010 are drinking well now. Decant younger bottles or cellar them a few years.

It shines with red meat, game and aged cheese. The producer recommends roasted and stewed game and red-meat ragout, while its firm tannin and acidity also suit Fiorentina steak, ossobuco, porcini and truffle dishes, and mature Pecorino.

It scores 4.3 on Vivino from more than 15,000 ratings, and critics regularly award recent vintages 95 to 98 points, including a 98 from Kerin O'Keefe for the 2019. Drinkers consistently praise its ripe, balanced and ageworthy style.

This is the estate's standard annata Brunello di Montalcino, which sits above their Rosso di Montalcino but below the single-vineyard Pianrosso and the Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro Riserva in the Ciacci range.

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Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino
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