Brunello di Montalcino Archives

Kerin O’Keefe’s 2025 Top 100

Kerin O’Keefe’s 2025 Top 100: nice awards for Massolino, Paltrinieri and Patrizia Cencioni.

Their Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda, Lambrusco Radice and Brunello Ofelio are in the 2025 TOP 100 wines. Congratulations!

#14 of 2025: Massolino’s Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2019 with 98 Points

"The impressive 2019 Vigna Rionda Riserva from Massolino captivates with its combination of structure, intensity and elegance. It opens with classic Barolo aromas of red berry, wild rose, dark spice, leather and a balsamic whiff of camphor that on the composed, full-bodied palate segue into more defined sensations of crushed raspberry, cranberry, licorice and tobacco. Showing the nuance of this extraordinary vintage, it’s still youthfully austere, with a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity that lends youthful tension. This is one I’d love to try again in ten years or so. Drink 2034–2049"

Kerin O'Keefe

#61 of 2025
Patrizia Cencioni’s Brunello di Montalcino Ofelio 2021 with 96 Points

"The Patrizia Cencioni 2021 Brunello Ofelio is a stunning wine. It opens with heady scents of sandalwood, underbrush, lavender, Mediterranean scrub, new leather and cedar. Picking up where the nose leaves off, the full-bodied, focused palate delivers ripe red plum, black cherry, licorice and vanilla set against firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Still quite young and primary, this promises great aging potential so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2033–2046."

Kerin O'Keefe

#94 of 2025: Paltrinieri’s Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice 2024 with 94 Points

"The 2024 Radice, a benchmark wine in the denomination along with its sibling Leclisse, opens with delicately enticing aromas of small red berry, violet, lavender, citrus and wild herb. Showing great racy tension, the palate is bone-dry and savory, featuring pomegranate, cranberry, blood orange and saline notes. Made with the ancestral method of bottling the wine while still on its lees, as you get toward the bottom of the bottle, you’ll also find yeasty flavors recalling brioche. Bright acidity and a fine fizz provide energy and finesse."

Kerin O'Keefe

Women Power: Patrizia Cencioni

Cheers to Women and Wine

Saturday, the 8th of March 2025 we will raise our glasses to the women on International Women’s Day.

Women Power: Let us not just pop a bottle and sip in celebration, but let’s pay tribute to the women winemakers who have put their heart and soul into their craft. From the rolling hills of Piedmont in the north, to the sunny slopes of Sicily in the south, female vintners are revolutionizing the Italian wine scene, as they bring fresh, innovative perspectives while respecting the deep-rooted traditions.

One of these female vintners is Patrizia Cencioni:

Cantina Patrizia Cencioni:

The Cantina Patrizia Cencioni is managed by the owner Patrizia and her 2 daughters, Annalisa and Arianna. Thanks to the long family experience and the entrepreneurial skills of Patrizia, a refined feminine touch is added.

There is feminine elegance in the wines from this cantina.

High profile wines and Sangiovese:

The azienda creates high profile wines, thanks to a very good balance between use of modern technologies and respect for the tradition. This results in a range of excellent wines. Wines where Sangiovese is the protagonist.

We highlight 3 wonderful Italian wines for Women’s Day:

The Rosato Toscana is made with 100% Sangiovese. The taste is round, sapid and crisp and has an elegant finish. There is a great balance between roundness and fresh acidity.

This wine is an excellent combination with cheese, fresh first courses and cold cuts, as well as vegetables based dishes.

For a complete datasheet, please click here:

The Rosso di Montalcino is made with 100% Sangiovese. Hints of spice give complexity to the wine, the aroma is vivid, fresh with cherry and violet. The flavour is with great crispness, it is well-structured and a great drinkability. This wine is very well balanced and has an evident pleasant character. A perfectly pairing with red and white meats, cold cuts and cheese.

For a complete datasheet, please click here:

The Brunello di Montalcino is made with 100% Sangiovese. The flavour is intense and developing, in the foreground there is an intense fruity note of iron cherry, then comes the balsamicity of Mediterranean bush, along with hints of cocoa and tobacco.

This wine has a perfect food pairing with red meats and game.

For a complete datasheet, please click here:

Really, these great Italian wines make every toast feel extraordinary!

So, this March 8th, let’s uncork something special — whether it’s the robust Brunello di Montalcino or the fresh Rosato Toscana, let it be a reminder of the magic that happens when you combine tradition, hard work, and a touch of daring innovation.

To the women who inspire us, to the wines that make our hearts sing, and to the beauty that both create in the world — here’s to a day of celebration, empowerment, and, of course, fine Italian wine.“