SESTI Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 'Phenomena' DOCG 2018 Bottle

Description

PHENOMENA is the name given to the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, commemorating the significant astronomical event during the 2018 harvest, which featured the largest total lunar eclipse of the century, known as the super blue blood moon. Each vintage label changes in imagery and colour while retaining the Sesti name. The 2018 vintage has received widespread acclaim, including 96 points from Decanter for its remarkable freshness and aromas of dried lavender and sweet wet soil, alongside a rich palate with tangy tamarind and raspberry. Jancis Robinson awarded it 18 points for its stunning balance and chewy tannins, while James Suckling noted its floral and smoky notes at 94 points. Vinous praised its classic structure and vibrant fruit, highlighting exceptional quality and aging potential.

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The graphics of the label of various years, while keeping the name SESTI and PHENOMENA, change in both image and colour. Under the astronomical event commemorated on this label.
On the 27th July 2018 the largest total eclipse of the Moon this century was seen in the heavens. This coincided with three other Moon events a " Blood Moon" a " Super Moon" and a " Blue Moon" not seen since 31st May 1844. It's next appearon with be on 31st January 2037

DECANTER 96 points
Tasted by: Michaela Morris (at Chiostro Museo Montalcino, 14 Nov 2023) Part of Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – ‘spoiled for choice’: Full report
Once again, Sesti’s Phenomena tops this year’s Riserva releases. As always, it marks a specific cosmic event: in 2018, this was the super blue blood moon of 31 January, the most important lunar eclipse of the 21st century. For a wine that has aged in cask for so long (52 months), this is impossibly fresh and well preserved. Just hinting at its splendour, aromas build steadily with dried lavender, basil and sweet wet soil. The palate teases tenderly with an initial caress and sumptuousness of fruit, then reveals its secure, authoritative grip. Tangy tamarind underscores raspberry in the tightly wound core, while it maintains a very savoury and sapid character throughout.

JANCIS ROBINSON 18 points
Drink: 2026 - 2040
Deep to dark ruby with orange tinges. Very backward on the nose only revealing minerally, savoury spice notes. Rich yet taut with deep, tangy cherry fruit and with fantastic tactile, chewy tannins. Stunning balance. (WS)

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Leafy, slightly smoky, floral and restrained on the nose with lifted fruit such as pomegranates and black cherries. Edgier palate with grainy tannins and crisp acidity, a full body and nutty aftertaste. Best after 2028.

VINOUS 93 points
A beguiling blend of dusty rose, sage, incense and crushed stone engulfs a core of dried black cherry as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena blossoms in the glass. It flows across the palate, lifted and refined, with a wave of ripe red fruits that slowly saturate. Tactile mineral tones and fine tannins mingle toward the close. Classically structured, the 2018 leaves a pleasantly bitter twang to linger, along with licorice and orange traces that add youthful tension. Sesti did a wonderful job of maintaining the vivid fruit of the vintage, something that Riserva-level wines seldom do. - Eric Guido