La Fiorita's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Fiore di No shows a saturated and nicely enriched presentation with dark ruby highlights. Compared to the estate's classic Brunello, this special selection offers increased concentration and density with blackberry and cherry highlighted by spice, campfire ash and grilled herb. The fruit for this wine comes from three sites: the best part of Pian Bossolino, Poggio al Sole and Giardinello. But like the other wine, Fiore di No has that distinctive sweet spot with cherry, candied orange and sweet baking spice. This limited 3,200-bottle release is characterized by brightness, linearity and increased focus.
James Suckling (95)
This has sophisticated aromas of fresh and dried blackberries, lavender, cloves and porcini mushrooms. It’s full-bodied with such richness to the fruit and a deep center palate. Firm, ultra fine tannins with dried-flower and spice character. Great length, too.
BOW (9)
Jeb Dunnuck (93)
Fiore di No is sourced from two vineyards, Pian Bossolino, and Poggio al Sole, from which it is only produced in the best vintage. The 2016 Fiore di No Brunello has more savory aromatics of cherry pit, fresh Mediterranean herbs, anise, and cedar. The palate has a balanced and firm structure that is forward with ripe red plum, fresh tobacco, and balsamic, giving way to building tannins and warming spice.
Jancis Robinson (16)
Lustrous ruby. Sweetly concentrated nose with notes of cherry liqueur and a hint of oak. Intense and very sweet and youthful with enormous fruit power and firm tannins. Rich and boisterous and not to be approached for quite some time. Slightly hot finish.
Vinous (92)
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Fiore di NO from La Fiorita is sweet and seductively spiced with masses of black cherries, mixed with cinnamon and clove. The textures are silky-smooth, ushering in ripe red fruits laced with minerals, as pretty inner florals amass toward the close. This turns grippy and structured through the finale; yet there’s something so drinkable and energetic about the Fiore di NO, that it will be hard to keep your hands off of it upon release.
Decanter (90)
Fiore di NO is owner Natalie Oliveros’ selection from her four vineyards. In 2016 the backbone came from Pian Bossolino, which sits at 350 metres, and is rounded out with lots from the lower-lying sites of Giardinello and Poggio al Sole. It is more concentrated, with darker fruit tones than the estate Brunello. Intense violet and lavender mingle with clove and a trace of chocolate. A bit heady in alcohol, but for now the plump fruit absorbs it and cushions the underlying tannic grip.
Winespectator (95)
Macerated plum, black cherry, spice and iron aromas and flavors are matched to a vibrant structure in this red, which is firm and dry, with the muscular tannins wrapping the lingering finish in their strong grip. Shows energy from beginning to end.
