92 points Vinous - Bright red. Delicate nuances of quince and poached pear complement perfumed violet and lily of the valley aromas on the enticingly pure, almost aromatic nose. Then delicate flavors of almond kernel, raspberry and minerals on the tangy, piquant, lusciously fresh palate. More raspberry notes repeat on the nicely perfumed, lingering finish. An outstanding Brunello, in fact one of the better ones from Antinori in years; I especially like it because it just goes with the flow of the year rather than trying too hard to extract what could not be obtained from this weather-challenged vintage. Lovely stuff; well done.
91 points Wine Enthusiast - Aromas of stewed plum, pressed violet, tobacco and a whiff of leather lead the way. The medium-bodied, linear palate offers succulent black cherry, crushed herb and star anise alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2020–2029.
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino Pian delle Vigne works very nicely all said and done. It presents the light and undertone character of the vintage against the ripe and more opulent style that is associated with this vineyard site at the lower parts of southern Montalcino. These two elements result in a balanced and forthright performance. The wine opens to a dark garnet color and ripe aromas of dark cherry and blackberry followed by potting soil, rose bud and grilled herb.
90 points James Suckling - Aromas of tar, spice and dried berries follow through to a medium body with stewed fruit and chewy tannins. Medium body. Juicy finish.
From the Winery
Climate - The winter of 2014 was characterized by mild temperatures and frequent rainfall. The growing season, which began slightly in advance, was distinguished by a springtime influence by cool weather. Summer rains and temperatures below normal seasonal averages led to a slight delay in the ripening process, a delay recovered during the first two weeks of the month of September. The improved climate of the harvest and a scrupulous manual selection assured that only healthy and high-quality grapes arrived to be fermented in the cellars.
Vinification - Upon their arrival in the cellars, the grapes were destemmed, given a soft pressing and then went into stainless steel tanks where they went through a lengthy fermentation process. The period of skin contact lasted fifteen days and took place at a temperature of 82° Fahrenheit (28° centigrade). Given the characteristics of the growing season, the aim was to fully bring out the freshness of the fruit, the suppleness of the tannins, and the overall balance of the final wine. To accomplish this, the wine, in fact, went into 890 and 2100 gallon (3000 and 8000 liter) oak casks where it was put through a complete malolactic fermentation and began its period of oak aging. After over two years, the Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino left its casks to then go through a lengthy period of bottle aging before commercial release.
Historical Data - The Pian Delle Vigne estate is located 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) southwest of Montalcino. Its name comes from the eponymous area where a characteristic nineteenth century railway station is located. The property consists of 460 total acres (184 hectares), 160 of which (65 hectares) are planted to vines with generally a south-western exposure at an altitude of 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level. The estate, since the very beginning, has followed a philosophy based on aging in large casks capable of preserving the exceptional integrity and fruit of the Sangiovese grapes and endow this Brunello with a characteristic vibrant elegance. Pian delle Vigne has belonged to the Antinori family since 1995, the the year of the first Pian delle Vigne vintage.
Tasting Notes - The wine shows a brilliant ruby red color, and the nose is characterized by red fruit along with hints of tobacco and such spices as vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. The palate is distinguished by balance and finesse: soft and silky tannins, the characteristics of this vintage, sustained by an excellent freshness, capable of adding elegance and flavor grace.
