"Filippo Chia and his team at Castello Romitorio have been on a roll for over a decade now, seemingly able to deliver the most classic and profound expressions of Brunello from nearly every vintage"
Eric Guido, Vinous

Owned by the (living) Italian equivalent of Lucien Freud, this is the Montalcino estate of renowned artist Sandro Chia, a property on a massive ascendancy in terms of the wines it is producing, yet they remain at a thoroughly drinkable price. Sandro has amassed immense wealth through his art and sculpture (each wine has its own art label), and there is little need for additional profit from his vinous project; instead, he just wants to see his wines being opened and consumed. Chia's art adorns both the labels of the bottles and the walls and floor of the cellar.
 
The wines produced at this estate are very much at the fine and elegant end of the Brunello spectrum – this is a Burgundy lover’s Sangiovese, perfumed and floral but equally intense, complex and sophisticated, all brimming with unmistakeable Montalcino terroir. The wines are hand-picked and selected both before and after destemming, and yields are kept intentionally low to maximise the quality potential.
 
This is the rare Riserva from the phenomenal 2016 vintage. Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate says it “works beautifully to produce a lasting sense of harmony that reflects the best qualities of this classic vintage.” Eric Guido at Vinous goes further, calling it “simply stunning.”