2021 Castello Romitorio Filo di Seta Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany

‘Castello Romitorio’s 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta is a striking expression of the vintage, sourced from a site at 270 meters in elevation on bluish galestro schist that lends power, focus and a distinct mineral edge. Planted in 1995 to old Sangiovese clones that produce naturally small clusters, the vineyard yields compact, dark fruit accented by mint and rosemary, echoing the surrounding forested landscape. A barrel selection from the 2.5-hectare site, this wine shows greater definition and density than the village Brunello, with vertical structure, poised acidity and a glossy, tightly knit texture. Fresh and bright yet richly layered, it closes on a beautifully balanced, sweet finish, gaining volume with air.’ 

98 Points Monica Larner, eRobertParker.com Jan 2026

‘Macerated plum, cherry, blackberry, iron and eucalyptus flavors are the hallmarks of this fresh, invigorating red. Shows harmony and a juicy midpalate before the malleable tannins leave their grip on the finish. Spice and salty mineral accents add detail. Balanced and super long, this reveals excellent potential. Best from 2030 through 2050.’ 

98 Points Bruce Sanderson, Winespectator.com June 2026

‘The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta tempts the imagination with a darkly alluring bouquet of exotic spices, sweet lavender, mint and dried black cherries. It is cool-toned, racy and sleek, with ripe wild berry fruits and crunchy mineral tones giving way to violet inner florals toward the close. A sharp citrus twang enlivens the senses as tart raspberry meets a saturation of sweet tannins. This is a wonderfully harmonious vintage for Filo di Seta.’ Drink 2028-2046’ 

96 points Eric Guido, Vinous.com Nov 2025

Rich, powerfully bright ruby red. Intense nose with lots of dark berry fruit, raspberry, black cherry and blood orange, some cold smoke in the background. Juicy and compact on the palate, lots of present fruit, opens up with excellently integrated, fine-meshed tannins, spans a wide range.

97 points Falstaff

Captivating and decidedly lively on the palate, it displays notes of black cherries, red plums, wild strawberries, lemon peel, crushed celery, peppermint, and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, straight, and decidedly firm on the palate, it displays well-extracted tannins and an engaging finish. Best from 2028.

98 points Raffaele Vecchione, WinesCritic

Castello Romitorio is one of Montalcino’s most distinctive estates, transformed by artist Sandro Chia after he acquired the ancient property in 1984. Today his son Filippo Chia leads the estate alongside longtime winemaker Stefano Martini. Filo di Seta is a special single-vineyard Brunello from a high-altitude site near the castle in north-western Montalcino, where the cooler position produces Sangiovese of striking perfume, structure and individuality. Its name translates rather beautifully as “silk thread” — an apt description for the wine’s combination of strength and finesse.

The 2021 vintage has all the ingredients for serious Brunello: ripe fruit, freshness, firm tannin and the balance required for long ageing. Filo di Seta’s elevated vineyard and cooling winds temper the Tuscan sunshine, while its mineral-rich soils give the wine tension and a distinctly savoury backbone. Long maturation allows those elements to knit together slowly, producing a Brunello with both immediate aromatic drama and considerable potential ahead.

Bright garnet with ruby at the core, the nose unfolds with Morello cherry, wild strawberry and blood orange before rose petal, violet and dried thyme appear. Give it air and darker notes emerge — liquorice root, tobacco leaf, black tea, warm terracotta and a little balsamic herb. The palate is intense but beautifully shaped, with vivid red fruit wrapped in firm, finely textured tannins. Sour cherry, orange peel and earthy spice build through the middle before a long, savoury finish of dried flowers, herbs and mineral bite.

This deserves the good crockery: bistecca alla Fiorentina with rosemary and olive oil, pappardelle with hare ragù, roast pigeon with porcini, slow-braised beef cheek or aged Pecorino Toscano with truffle honey.

Cellaring: Drink from 2029 to 2048+.