“If forced to drink only one wine from Montalcino, I might very well choose Diego Molinari’s sumptuous Brunello (Cerbaiona)” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
For a release of this class, sometimes you just have to cut right to the chase - the wines from Montalcino's Cerbaiona are nothing short of exceptional. Founded in 1977 by former pilot Diego Molinari and his wife Nora, who bought the 17th-century high-altitude estate (vineyards sitting between 350 and 500 metres above sea level), slowly but surely gathering a cult with winemaking influenced by great names like Biondi-Santi. It wasn't until the past decade however, when Molinari stepped away and American importer Matthew Fioretti took the reigns with a massive overhaul towards more modern standards, where Montalcino fans from around the world have begun to take notice.
Through cellars that have been rebuilt and viticulture reapproached with selected clones and close-plantings, all but the most adverse vintage vagaries have been struck from the equation, and now one of the region's truly great sites for Sangiovese is free to do its thing. This is not like other Rosso and Brunello one generally comes across; there is fragrance, elegance and carry to the mouthfeel of these wines that reach a peak that can only be described as angelic. Fioretti has brought about a sense of total precision and perfume, no doubt helped along by his rich limestone shale-infused sandy soils, with overall production remaining incredibly small (we only have access to a handful come each vintage).
Take a look below for some of the critical praise behind these labels that are deservedly finding their place within Montalcino's top echelon, with specials running for the next week! There is also a brilliant little entry label, the 'Grammatica', for a neat look into their pristine style.
For all interested, we'll have Tim Shand, head winemaker at the greatVoyager Estate in Margaret River, hosting an in-store tasting come Thursday (14th) evening between 5 and 7pm! Having joined the estate in mid-2022, Tim has personally overseen his own overhaul of standards and philosophy; this writer was lucky enough to spend some time with him in his vineyards over Easter, and the passion and joy for what he does was plain to see. The Chardonnay selection has never been better from the estate, while the Cabernet surges with deep character and grip. There is also two museum releases from 2016 with their Chenin Blanc and North Block Single Vineyard Cabernet - we hope you can come join Tim and hear how he's shifting the paradigm within those beautiful vineyards!
Rosso di Montalcino 2023
$175 on special this week ($200 RRP)
(Very limited availability)
"With roughly 7,000 bottles produced, the 2023 Rosso Di Montalcino comes from various parts of the vineyard, while the Brunello is drawn from the crest of the hill. It pours a bright ruby hue and opens with wild raspberries, violets, sweet herbs, and fresh, layered earth. Medium-bodied, it has polished tannins, refreshing acidity, and a saline, citrus-tinged finish that keeps it light on its feet. It should drink well over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036." - 94 Points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck
"The 2023 Rosso di Montalcino is remarkably pretty, mixing dusty rose and violet tones with crushed blackberries and a whiff of bergamot. This is pure in style, with crisp minerality, perfumed red berry fruits, fresh acidity and blue/purple inner florals. Sweet tannins frame the finish as nuances of saline minerals and citrus fade." - 93 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
Brunello di Montalcino 2021
$470 on special this week ($540 RRP)
(Very limited availability)
"The excellent quality of the 2021 vintage has become increasingly evident with the passing of the years and subsequent harvests. This is confirmed by the development of Brunello 2021 itself, bottled by Cerbaiona in April 2024: a wine that expresses the full ripeness of the grapes and polyphenols, with a fine, taut and balanced texture. Five years after the harvest, Cerbaiona Brunello 2021 confirms not only its harmony and elegance, but also the depth of its structure." - Cerbaiona, Winemaker
"The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a jeweled ruby hue and is strikingly pure and transparent from the start. The aromatics are lifted and detailed, with raspberry liqueur, crushed wildflowers, orange oil, bergamot, and a cool, stony mineral edge. Medium-bodied, it has a weightless feel yet tremendous depth, with polished, velvety tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, seamless finish that carries with quiet power. It should evolve beautifully with time and offer exceptional drinking over the next two to three decades." - 99 Points, Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com
"Cerbaiona’s 2021 Brunello di Montalcino marks a psychological and physical rebirth for the estate, as the first vintage produced in the new technological winery using fruit from refurbished vineyards and a parcel-by-parcel harvest approach. This release represents the first Brunello made entirely under Matthew Fioretti’s vision, defining Cerbaiona as an atelier estate rooted in winemaking precision. The wine is beautifully complete on the aromatic front, distinguished by an elegant mineral signature that is especially pronounced in this vintage, lending clarity and lift. It opens on a timid note before growing steadily in intensity, revealing fine and delicate layers of spice and floral notes alongside evident complexity." - 97 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
- Also Available -
Cerbaiona 'Grammatica' Sangiovese Toscana Rosso 2023 -
$90 on special ($105 RRP)
"The 2023 Rosso Grammatica is exotic in the glass, with a wild bouquet of tangerine zest, cherry herbal tea and cedar shavings. A pretty inner sweetness on the entry leads to a cascade of rose-infused strawberry, while nuanced tannins add contrast toward the close. It tapers off classically dry and precise." - 92 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous
Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino 2021 1500ml MAGNUM -
$950 on special ($1,095 RRP)
*only one available!
The Lineup -
Chenin Blanc 2016 (Museum Release) -
$30 on special ($35 RRP)
"Fresh aromas of pome and tropical fruits with a subtle hint of spice. The wine displays flavours of spicy pome fruits with underlying citrus and some tropical fruit nuances. The palate has a nicely balanced weight and a creamy textural element derived from some barrel fermentation, finishing with subtle sweetness balanced by fresh natural acidity. Made in an early drinking, soft, fruit-driven style with great intensity of flavours, a subtle textural complexity from a small barrel fermented component." - Winemaker Notes
Coastal Chardonnay 2025 -
$30 on special ($35 RRP)
“The essence of Margaret River Chardonnay grown from our certified organic coastal vines. Abundant ripe fruit flavour but with a delicate citrus line throughout. Eminently drinkable, with an ease and breeze that suits any occasion. On the nose, ripe yellow fruits, cumquat, white flowers, lanolin. On the palate, ripe, fruit-forward, balanced acidity, with a textural finish." - Winemaker Notes
Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 -
$30 on special ($34 RRP)
"This Cabernet comes from the Coastal Estate vineyards in the Stevens Valley in the Margaret River. The vines here produce moderate yields, allowing them to display the intensity and typicity of this seaside site. The 2024 season was warm and dry with generous winter rains, which provided plenty of resources for the vines. The reds in particular, from this vintage, are notable for their "fruit weight, vibrancy and significant but fine tannins," the Voyager team tells us. In the winery, the grapes were destemmed and fermented as whole berries in a blend of open, static and concrete vessels. The ferment sat on the cooler side to keep the lifted aromatics and control extraction." - Importer Notes
Cabernets 2023 -
$40 on special ($46 RRP)
// 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
"Bright red and youthful in the glass. Lifted aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, Asian spice, dried herbs, bramble and violets. Bright, mouth-filling, firm and layered. Full of plush dark fruits, grippy, grainy tannin and perky acidity. This has real life, spark and purity and will cellar for many years to come." - 95 Points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
Estate Chardonnay 2023 -
$60 on special ($69 RRP)
"This is the best Voyager chardonnay in yonks. It’s all by degrees of course but every degree in wine is hard won. This wine has flavour and texture but it’s the length that gets you going. It shows smoke characters, grilled peach, lemon curd and a jasmine element. There are flint notes here, as a whisper – which is interesting, because Voyager Chardonnay generally doesn’t or hasn’t shown flint characters in the past. It works here. 2023 was Shand’s first full vintage in charge of Voyager’s winemaking and if this wine is an indication, we’re in for a ride." - 95 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
“Tim Shand has made such a profound impact since taking over as winemaker in ‘22 and while it’s early days, gee what’s on offer looks very, very good. Already subtlety is apparent, although plenty of flavour here with stone fruit and citrus, wafts of lemon verbena and celery seed. It’s flinty, spicy and creamy with nutty lees. This is moreish and the savoury edge comes through in tandem with tangy and juicy acidity, and almost a pop of saline tang to finish. Impressive." - 95 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
'Project U12 North Block' Cabernet 2016 (Museum Release) -
$105 on special ($120 RRP)
"The Voyager Estate North Block was planted in 1995 and produces a subtle expression of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is all about balance and purity of fruit which it delivers in a package that is not only ready to enjoy right now but also has the backbone to be a delicious drink for many years to come. It is not massively coloured which immediately hints at its understated style. The wine is pretty, refined and subtle with cedar, bay leaf and green olive fruits sitting on a bed of winter berry fruits. The palate is classic cabernet – dry, mid-weight and taut, which combines with vibrant, concentrated fruit and fresh acidity to provide an elegant but firm frame driving a long, fine finish. It is a delicious, seductive and silky cabernet." - 96 Points, Angus Hughson, Wine Pilot
If you wish to purchase any of these wines, please use the links above
Otherwise, if you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special prices valid until Tuesday 19th of May