Wine: Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino 2018
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: Try after 2026
Review Date: 06/17/2022
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Intense aromas of black cherries, lavender and spice, such as nutmeg. Some sandalwood and bark, too. Full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins for the vintage. Rather chewy, suggesting that additional bottle age is needed. Try after 2026.

Wine: Livio Sassetti 2018 Pertimali Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
Score/Rating: 95
Review Date: 12/01/2023
Reviewed By: Danielle Callegari
Tasting Notes: The nose is fruity and fizzy, like cherry cola, with roots and mixed herbs bringing a welcome savory element. The palate is sweet and juicy with cherries, but balance comes from an undertone of dark chocolate, before the nose's lightly medicinal quality emerges again. Acidity positively fizzes around powerful tannins.

Wine: Sassetti Livio Pertimali 2018 Brunello di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2033
Review Date: 10/2022
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: Depths of dark, balsamic-tinged black cherry, plum sauce and autumnal spice make the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impossible to ignore. This is velvety to the core, nearly opulent in feel, with a dense wave of ripe red fruits complemented by nuances of sweet lavender and tobacco. It leaves the palate clenched with fine tannins and primary concentration, creating a classic sensation that transcends the vintage. Nearly a minute goes by, and hints of cocoa and sweet herbs continue to resonate. Wow! Production at the Pertimali estate was down by 20% due to the spring frost, and the decision was made to place all of the juice usually intended for the Riserva into the straight Brunello, the result being one of the top wines of the vintage.

Wine: 2018 Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 94+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 03/06/2023
Reviewed By: Audrey Frick
Tasting Notes: Rich with compact and velvety layers, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino offers fleshy aromas of fig, black licorice, mocha, and roasted sage. It is full-bodied and displays more freshness and transparency on the palate, although it remains fully ripe, with black cherry, plum, turned soil, and macerated violets. It has full and present ripe tannins, a hint of crushed rock, and a saline, savory finish. With its liqueur-like richness throughout, this is a fantastic expression, but it needs a couple of years in the cellar before drinking over the following 10.

Wine: Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino 2018
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2042
Review Date: 06/30/2023
Reviewed By: Bruce Sanderson
Tasting Notes: Ripe and juicy, this red reveals plum, cherry, earth, tobacco and menthol aromas and flavors. Well-structured, delivering dense, dusty tannins and ample fruit to match, with a long, complex finish. Best from 2025 through 2042.

Wine: Sassetti Livio, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
Score/Rating: 90
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2028
Review Date: 11/09/2022
Reviewed By: Michaela Morris
Tasting Notes: With vineyards on the edge of the Montosoli hill in Montalcino’s north, the Sassetti family waited until 7 Oct to harvest. Thin-skinned grapes demanded a significant selection and just a brief maceration. The resulting wine is reticent rather than flamboyant and highlights a rigid character to the vintage. Aromas evoke cranberry, brushwood and rooibos tea. An angular silhouette emphasises rugged tannins and tangy, tart acidity. Predominantly sour cherry flavours make way for subtle iron and cinnamon on the finish. Despite its rigour, this will be best in the near-term.

Wine: Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino 2018
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: Try after 2026
Review Date: 06/17/2022
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Intense aromas of black cherries, lavender and spice, such as nutmeg. Some sandalwood and bark, too. Full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins for the vintage. Rather chewy, suggesting that additional bottle age is needed. Try after 2026.

Wine: Livio Sassetti 2018 Pertimali Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
Score/Rating: 95
Review Date: 12/01/2023
Reviewed By: Danielle Callegari
Tasting Notes: The nose is fruity and fizzy, like cherry cola, with roots and mixed herbs bringing a welcome savory element. The palate is sweet and juicy with cherries, but balance comes from an undertone of dark chocolate, before the nose's lightly medicinal quality emerges again. Acidity positively fizzes around powerful tannins.

Wine: Sassetti Livio Pertimali 2018 Brunello di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2033
Review Date: 10/2022
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: Depths of dark, balsamic-tinged black cherry, plum sauce and autumnal spice make the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impossible to ignore. This is velvety to the core, nearly opulent in feel, with a dense wave of ripe red fruits complemented by nuances of sweet lavender and tobacco. It leaves the palate clenched with fine tannins and primary concentration, creating a classic sensation that transcends the vintage. Nearly a minute goes by, and hints of cocoa and sweet herbs continue to resonate. Wow! Production at the Pertimali estate was down by 20% due to the spring frost, and the decision was made to place all of the juice usually intended for the Riserva into the straight Brunello, the result being one of the top wines of the vintage.

Wine: 2018 Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 94+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 03/06/2023
Reviewed By: Audrey Frick
Tasting Notes: Rich with compact and velvety layers, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino offers fleshy aromas of fig, black licorice, mocha, and roasted sage. It is full-bodied and displays more freshness and transparency on the palate, although it remains fully ripe, with black cherry, plum, turned soil, and macerated violets. It has full and present ripe tannins, a hint of crushed rock, and a saline, savory finish. With its liqueur-like richness throughout, this is a fantastic expression, but it needs a couple of years in the cellar before drinking over the following 10.

Wine: Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino 2018
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2042
Review Date: 06/30/2023
Reviewed By: Bruce Sanderson
Tasting Notes: Ripe and juicy, this red reveals plum, cherry, earth, tobacco and menthol aromas and flavors. Well-structured, delivering dense, dusty tannins and ample fruit to match, with a long, complex finish. Best from 2025 through 2042.

Wine: Sassetti Livio, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
Score/Rating: 90
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2028
Review Date: 11/09/2022
Reviewed By: Michaela Morris
Tasting Notes: With vineyards on the edge of the Montosoli hill in Montalcino’s north, the Sassetti family waited until 7 Oct to harvest. Thin-skinned grapes demanded a significant selection and just a brief maceration. The resulting wine is reticent rather than flamboyant and highlights a rigid character to the vintage. Aromas evoke cranberry, brushwood and rooibos tea. An angular silhouette emphasises rugged tannins and tangy, tart acidity. Predominantly sour cherry flavours make way for subtle iron and cinnamon on the finish. Despite its rigour, this will be best in the near-term.