JAMES SUCKLING / 95 pts
Beautiful aromas of sliced plums, spice and hints of dried flowers. Medium to full body, bright and tangy acidity and a long and vivid finish. Lovely balance and energy. Drink now or hold.
JANCIS ROBINSON / 17+
Tasted blind. Concentrated, complex nose of sweet cherry fruit and minerally, earthy notes and with a touch of gingerbread. A great mouthful of fruit aligned with a perfect dose of bright acidity. Very long, intense and rewarding and with a full, fruit-driven finish. (WS)
Drink – 2020 – 2032
WINE SPECTATOR/ 92 pts
Striking aromas of cherry, plum and spice are framed by elements of new oak. The sweet cose is accented by tobacco and earth notes before finishing with a layer of oak tannins. Best from 2021 through 2033.
VINOUS/ 91 pts
Bright red. Aromas of red cherry, mocha, iris and monthol. Clean and fresh, offering pliant flavors of strawberry, raspberry and vanilla that convey a strong impression of sweetness. The wine’s soft, creamy tannins are covered in fruit. Finishes with noteworthy lift and length, plus a lingering nuance of orange peel.
JAMES SUCKLING / 94 pts
Very pretty aromas with black cherry and blueberry character. Full body, layered and beautiful with medium velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows class. Drink or hold.
FALSTAFF/ 90 pts
VERONELLI / 90 pts
FALSTAFF/ 94 pts
Sattes, funkelndes Rubinrot. Sehr intensive und ansprechende Nase, satt nach Brombeeren, frischen dunklen Kirschen und einem Hauch Kakao. Auch am Gaumen viel reife Frucht, knacking, feinmaschiges Tannin, im hinteren Bereich dezente Holznoten, sollten sich mit Lagerung aber sehr gut einbinden
– Othmar Kiem
DECANTER/ 92 pts
JANCIS ROBINSON/ 17 pts
Tasted blind. Youthful, deep ruby. A little bit closed with only a posh oak note rising from the glass. Backward, but elegant. On the palate the oak is a little attention-grabbing for the moment, but the gorgeous, zesty cherry fruit and fine tannins lead the finish. Maverick, modernist (or should that be: post – modernist?) style. Drink 2019-2023
JAMES SUCKLING / 93 pts
A powerful and linear Brunello with blueberry, stone and spice character. Full body, chewy and structured.
DOCTOR WINE/ 94 points
FALSTAFF/ 90 pts
Brilliant ruby with fine shimmer. Opens in the nose with smoky notes, the fruit hidden in the background. On the palate nice game, juicy, supple, fine tannins and a long finish.
— Omar Kiem
WINE SPECTATOR/ 92 pts
An elegant Brunello, featuring a mix of cherry, currant, tobacco, iron and tea flavors. Complex and vibrant, with a long finish of underbrush and mineral, driven by a tight, dense structure. Best from 2018 through 2032 —BS
JAMES SUCKLING / 91 pts
A fresh, clean wine with tangy acidity and hints of lemon rind that follow through to dried cherry. Full to medium body, racy, acidity. Drink now.
JANCIS ROBINSON/ 16.5 pts
Tasted blind. Deep ruby with orange tinges. Hints of candied fruit on the nose, but not too overpowering. Fully ripe fruit on the palate but there is plenty of acidity to give it contrast.Hedonistic. 14.5% Drink 2016-2024 – WS
DOCTOR WINE/ 91 pts
JAMES SUCKLING / 94 pts
A red that delivers so much rose bush, dried meat, strawberry and sea salt character. It’s full-bodied, with firm and silky tannins and a long and intense finish. High toned Brunello. Better in 2017.
WINE SPECTATOR / 93 pts
A mix of cherry, currant, earth, leather and tobacco aromas and flavors course through this elegant Brunello, with firm, well-integrate tannins and a long, fresh finish. Best from 2017 through 2030. – BS
JANCIS ROBINSON / 17 pts
Mid ruby with orange tinges. Earthy cherry with hints of spice. Complex palate of sour cherry and notes of dried fruit with lovely tanginess and chewy tannins on the finish. WS
DECANTER / RECOMMENDED
VINI BUONI D’ITALIA / 4 stars
FALSTAFF / 92 pts
MICHAEL APSTEIN / 92 pts
I VINI D’ITALIA 2016 / L’ESPRESSO 4 Bottiglie
Forte delle belle giaciture di cui dispone in zona Case Basse, la famiglia Máté ha progressivamente affinato il proprio stile nell’interpretare i vini del territorio.Non suscita quindi più alcuna sorpresa ritrovare il loro Brunello 2010 fra i migliori della tipologia. Lieve note minerali annunciano un naso puro, dolce e sinuoso, dai lineamenti eleganti; trama di bocca sapida e profilata per un vino proporzionato, soffice, caldo, armonioso.
GAMBERO ROSSO / 2 glasses
“CAMPO ALTO 2009” – TOM HYLAND / 4 stars
Husband and wife Ferenc and Candace Máté have been quietly producing some very fine examples of Brunello di Montalcino at their lovely estate near that of Gianfranco Soldera and Angelo Gaja for the past several years. This 2009 “Campo Alto” is a new bottling and for my thoughts, the best wine they have produced to date. Displaying rich aromas of morel cherry, tar, Damson plum and a hint of coffee, this is medium-full with a rich mid-palate. It certainly is flavorful with very good varietal focus and the persistence is more pronounced in this wine as compared with previous efforts from this producer. Best in 12-15 years. Excellent (4 stars).
CAMPO ALTO 2009” – JAMES SUCKLING / 92 points
A red with dark chocolate, berry and mushroom character. Spicy too. Full body, firm tannins and long finish. Drink or hold.
VINI D’ITALIA 2015 / 4 bottiglie
Profumi intriganti, nitidi, di marca floreale e speziata, con cenni agrumati; bocca agile, reattiva, tratteggiata in bello stile.
LA REPUBBLICA / 4 stars Luciano di Lello
DECANTER / RECOMMENDED
WINE SPECTATOR / 93 pts
Full of eucalyptus and balsamic notes, this red boasts a core of cherry and raspberry fruit, with tobacco and leather flavors. Firm and well-proportioned, delivering a lingering aftertaste. Very approachable and harmonious. Best from 2014 though 2028. —BS
TUSCAN VINES / 93 pts
Vibrant violet color with a deep ruby core. The wonderful aromatics leap from the glass. There’s a large frame of crushed red fruits supported by comfortable broken-in leather, sweet pipe tobacco,and flowers. On the palate the wine displays impressive concentration with a monstrous core of rich, ripe berry fruit, tobacco and savory Tuscan herbs. This is so delicious. Wonderful balance, and although only moderately tannic, the acids create a lively, mouth watering sensation. This is great wine. — JF
JAMES SUCKLING / 91 pts
Lots of sweet berry fruit with hints of prunes. Full body, with dried fruits and velvety tannins. It’s long and pretty.Drink or hold
WINE ENTHUSIAST / 90 pts
A raw note of spice and tobacco give this Brunello a brawny, masculine personality. Cherry cola, licorice, savory spice, smoked bacon and black currant hint at the many years of cellar aging that have shaped the evolution. Those flavors also add to the overall finesse and silkiness of the finish. — ML
TOM HYLAND/ 4 stars
Pale young garnet; dried morel cherry, paprika and thyme aromas. Medium-full with very good concentration. Generous mid-palate; lengthy finish with notable persistence. Very good acidity, refined tannins and subtle spice notes in the finish. I have liked this producer’s previous examples of Brunello, but this is a step up, as there is a more developed mid-palate and the wine overall is a more complete example; I applaud the style and quality of this 2008. Best in 12-15 years – perhaps longer.
KYLE PHILLIPS’S / 2 stars (highest score) Italian Wine Review
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with smoky cedary notes mingled with some hardwod ash and tart berry fruit and citric acidity. On the palate it’s bright, with lively sour cherry fruit supported by tart berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are smooth and flow into a clean sour cherry finish. Pleasant, and will already drink nicely with succulent red meats, though it also has the capacity to age nicely for a numer of years.
JANCIS ROBINSON/ 17 pts
Just mid ruby with broad orange rim. A little reductive and herbal (rhubarb) at fist but quite classic on the palate with great acidity and cherry fruit. Quite elegant mouthfell, and compact tannin. Great lenght, freshness and chewiness and lingering herbal notes. — WS
MERUM / 1 heart
VINI BUONI D’ITALIA / not to be missed
The Brunello of Ferenc Máté, noted writer, and his wife Candace appeals to us for its precise interpretation of the Brunello zone.
WINE ENTHUSIAST / 94 pts
A ripe fruit element that is perfectly contained and just short of seeming overdone or overtly jammy. It’s soft and round with loads of oak-driven spice, like cinnamon and ground clove, and plump tones of red cherry, blackberry and plum. What’s really nice here is the fresh density and overall supple texture.
JAMES SUCKLING / 93 pts
Aromas of leather, dried citrus rind and berries, follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Lively acidity. Lots of dried citrus character, savory. Drink now or hold.
FALSTAFF / 92 punkte
Glänzendes Rubingranat. Intensive und klare Nase, duftet nach Himbeere und Weichselkirschen. Saftig und klar am Gaumen, baut sich sehr gut auf, griffiges Tannin mit süßem Schmelz, im Finale langer Nachhall, macht Spaß.
FALSTAFF/ 92 pts
Brilliant ruby garnet color, intensive, clear nose with scents of raspberry and cherry. Juicy and clear on the palate with good buildup, tannins with a certain sweetness, long finish, fun to drink.
WINE SPECTATOR / 91 pts
The cherry, plum and leather flavors are accented by oak spice in this modern-styled red. It works together well, following up with cedar and tobacco notes on the long finish. Bright and juicy. Best from 2014 through 2024.1,200 cases made. — BS
TOM HYLAND
Outstanding recent releases/Key producers Scents of dried cherry, sage, dill, oregano, and cedar lead to a moderately full palate of admirable ripeness and nicely integrated oak and acidity. The finish is lightly herbal.This Brunello will be at its best in 12-15 years.
KYLE PHILLIPS / 2 stars Kyle Phillips’s Italian Wine Review
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is powerful and smoky, with moderate berry fruit supported by considerable greenish cedar mingled with some spice. On the palate it’s ample, quite ripe and with prune fruit. Tannins are smooth and flow into a brighter than expected tannic prune finish. It’s quite international in style and you will enjoy it.
JANCIS ROBINSON/ 16 pts
Medium ruby with palish orange rim. More minerally than fruity on the nose, at least for the moment. Extremely fine, concentrated fruit core with crunchy tannins. Lots of promise for the future. Drink 2014-2022 — WS
JANCIS ROBINSON/ 16 pts
Rubino con una pallida sfumatura arancione. Profumi di minerali e di frutta. Molto elegante, intensamente fruttato e tannino croccante. Molto promettente in futuro. Da bere 2014-2022 — WS
I VINI D’ITALIA 2013 / L’ESPRESSO 4 Bottiglie
Naso fragrante ed espressivo, punteggiato da note minerali e di frutta secca; buona trama di bocca, apprezzabile reattività, tannico, equilibrato, caldo, di discreto carattere.
JAMES SUCKLING / 95 pts
Love the nose to this, with licorice, mint, blackberries and aniseed. Full bodied, with wonderful dense fruit and super silky tannins. So fruity, yet full of finesse. A beauty. Try it after 2014.
WINE SPECTATOR / 95 pts
An opulent, fruit-driven style, yet fresh, with cherry, raspberry and blackberry up front and tar and licorice lurking behind. The richness is mouthcoating, and there are dense tannins hanging out on the finish. This has immediate appeal, yet should age well too. Best from 2014 through 2027.
FALSTAFF / 93 pts
Brunello: Ein fabelhafter Jahrgang 2006(verkostet von Othmar Kiem, veröffentlicht im März 2011) Dichtes Rubin. Intensive Nase mit Noten nach Himbeere und reifen Kirschen, etwas Thymian. Zeigt sich am Gaumen überaus saftig, viel klare Kirschfrucht, entfaltet sich mit kernigem Tannin, geschliffener Kern, baut sich schön auf, im Finale fester Druck. Dense ruby. Intense nose with notes of raspberry and ripe cherry, a little thyme. Shows very juicy on the palate, lots of clear cherry fruit; unfolds with robust tannins, building beautifully to the finish.
WINE ENTHUSIAST / 92 pts
This 2006 Brunello straddles modernity and tradition with a playful juxtaposition of wild berry and raspberry aromas against vanilla, clove and cinnamon spice.
PERSWIJN – 5 Sterren
Bramen en kersen, speels en levendig, lengte, zwarte bessen, mooie zuren, prachtig rijpe tannines.
PERSWIJN – 5 STARS
Playful and lively blackberries, cherries and black currants, good acidity, beautifully ripe tannins, long finish.
TOP 100 ITALIAN WINES 2010/Golosaria
LA REPUBBLICA
Montalcino, i 7 etteri di Máté per un elegantissimo Brunello – Luciano Di Lello LUOGO strepitoso di bellezza quello che lo scrittore canadese Ferenc Máté (nella foto) ha scelto come suo rifugio, dove la campagna di Montalcino sfuma ad occidente, tra quinte di colline che in lontananza nascondono il mare. Ma la bellezza qui si accompagna anche ad uno dei luoghi estremi del vino, con microclima, altitudine e componenti del terreno a lasciar esprimere qualcosa di mirabile nei 7 ettari di vigna che appaiono attorno a questo antico, severo casale. Il suo Brunello così è un cammeo di sottigliezze e sfumature aromatiche elegantissime dall’ equilibrio modernoe nitido dei migliori risultati su questa ottima vendemmia. Sorprendente poi il Syrah Banditone ’ 06, purtroppo raro nel numero di bottiglie prodotte, ma grande rosso meravigliosamente opulento e sontuoso, di una preziosità di frutti dolci, vividi e sensuali che si infittirà ancora, come più lungo sarà il tempo di bottiglia
LA REPUBBLICA
Montalcino, 7 Máté hectares for an “elegantissimo” Brunello – Luciano Di Lello A stunning location is what the Canadian writer, Ferenc Máté (in the photo) chose for his refuge, where the Montalcino countryside fades to the west, in a backdrop of hills that hide the sea in the distance. But another beauty of the area is that it is the place of an exceptional wine, with a microclimate, altitude and soil components that allow it to express something admirable in the 7 hectares of vines which surround this antique home. His Brunello is a cameo of subtlety with aromic, elegant nuances and a modern, distinct balance with the best results of this outstanding harvest. Surprising is the Syrah Banditone ‘06—unfortunately rare in numbers of bottles produced—a great red wine, wonderfully opulent and superb, with a precious sweet fruitiness, vivid and sensual, that will only get better, the longer it ages in bottle.
BEST ITALIAN WINES 2010/ANNUARIO DEI MIGLIORI VINI 2010 Luca Maroni
GAMBERO ROSSO/ Vini d’Italia / FINALIST – 3 GLASSES
Di colore profondo, il Brunello di Montalcino ‘04 concede al naso intense sensazioni di frutta matura con una nota minerale, di pirite, molto intensa, a supportare la nuance speziata. Bocca di grande impatto e sostanza, dal tannino sostenuto, un po’ poveroso, e acidità decisa che allunga il finale. Ben fatti anche i Sant’Antimo, tutti ‘06. Il Cabernet ha naso su note vegetali e di piccola frutta nera e bocc di grande impatto, con un’estrazione tannica sostenuta; il Banditone, da uve syrah, è avvolgente, ampio, rotondo; il Mantus Merlot è succoso, disteso.
DECANTER / RECOMMENDED
LA REPUBBLICA / “Da Non Perdere” – 4 stars – LA REPUBBLICA / Not to be Missed
WINE SPECTATOR / 90 pts
Full-bodied, with beautiful aromas of Indian spices and blueberry, chewy tannins and focused, forward fruit on the finish. Very fresh and attractive. Best after 2011. 400 cases made. – JS
WINE ENTHUSIAST / 91 pts
The Canadian owners of Máté lead a blessed life between painting, writing and grape-growing. The product of their Tuscan dream is a bold and modern wine that is shaped by sophisticated oak use and rich extraction. Deep aromas of vanilla, spice and blackberry ride over smooth tannins. — ML
WINE SPECTATOR / 91 pts
Shows plum jam, with cooked fruits and flowers on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft and sweet tannins and a pretty berry and vanilla aftertaste. Hard not to drink now, but give it a little bit of bottle age. Best after 2010. 400 cases made. – JS
WINE SPECTATOR
Shows cherry notes, with hints of earth and chocolate. Medium-bodied, with medium tannins and a fruity finish. Best after 2008. 550 cases made. –JS
WINE SURF / 4 stars
Proprio una bella scoperta quest’azienda, che non ha certo contattato gente inesperta per produrre i propri vini. Il loro brunello è giocata su aromi dove il legno fonde assieme molte componenti e su una struttura di bocca austera, dove la tannicità è dolce e già armonica.
WINE NEWS – Roberto Gatti
Naso di buona intensità; in bocca è gradevole, caldo, leggermente acido, lunga Pai.
LA REPUBBLICA – Da Non Perdere – Not to be Missed/ 4 stars
LUOGO con i suoi infiniti fondali punteggiati di torri, boschi e colori che si perdono fino al mare è di una bellezza tra le più assolute di Montalcino. E Candace Máté (nella foto), pittrice nata a Vancouver e vissuta poi assieme al marito scrittore tra Parigi, New York e Roma, ha deciso di fermarsi qui da ormai 12 anni e tentare il vino, dare una propria impronta al territorio, mescolando la determinazione anglosassone a fare le cose al meglio con quell’estro estetico fondamentale per risultati di eccellenza. Sono oggi 7 gli ettari piantati con una fittezza di 6.200 ceppi, in cui oltre il Sangiovese, si sono tentati il Cabernet Sauvignon, il Merlot e, su un terrazzamento esposto a sud, il Syrah. Seguiamo questo Brunello da alcuni anni. Lo abbiamo apprezzato per la sua raffinata eleganza, ma man mano che le piante maturano e con la 2003 in uscita questo vino raggiunge una profondità che lo rende non solo bello, ma complesso, con una dolcezza rarefatta di frutti di incantevole cremosità. Straordinario poi il Syrah Banditone ‘04, impenetrabile al colore, prezioso e succulento al naso di frutti neri di bosco densi, carnosi, straordinariamente masticabili. Può diventare uno dei Syrah italiani di più grande razza.
K & L UNCORKED
One of the ever-increasing numbers of new producers entering the Brunello market Máté has made a really good wine to start with. The nose has lots of toast and a sweet animal, earthy leather character that is inviting. In the mouth is ripe, full and fills your palate with solid complex fruit. A good finish rounds the wine out nicely. Drink now over the next 5-10 years.
WINE SPECTATOR / 91 pts
Loads of blackberry, tobacco and light vanilla follow through to a full-bodied palate, with good fruit and a silky, refined finish. Lots of sweet, ripe fruit flavors. New winery near Soldera and Gaja. Best after 2006. 2,000 cases made. – JS
DECANTER / HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – Steven Spurrier
“REALLY DISTINCTIVE!” – Jancis Robinson
