The 2012 Il Carbonaione comes across as quite shy and reserved today, with less of its typical exuberance. That just makes me think the wine is going to need a few years to blossom. Sweet red cherry, plum, kirsch, spice and rose petal nuances gradually emerge from the glass, but the 2012 remains reticent and not fully expressive. I would not be surprised to see the market look past the 2012, as it is not at all showy, but that will just create an opportunity for savvy consumers. There is plenty to look forward to. Readers will have to be patient, though. Over the years, Il Carbonaione has built a tremendous track record of aging very well. Next to Chianti Classico's other 100% Sangioveses, Carbonaione is made in a sweeter, jammier style with more mid-palate opulence. Although showy in its youth, Carbonaione needs time in bottle to show at its best.

This is really fine and balanced with beautifully polished, silky tannins and an impressive depth of fruit. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Superb as always. Drink or hold.
– jamessuckling.com, Oct 2015

The 2012 Il Carbonaione represents a tremendous effort. This is a stylish and generous wine that delivers high caliber aromas of dark berry, spice, leather, cola and grilled herb. Il Carbonaione is a single-vineyard expression of Sangiovese from 80-year-old vines. It is the result of years of research into the variety by leading enologist Vittorio Fiore and his team. What distinguishes this wine is the quality of its aromas, the immaculate way in which they are presented and the silky, long nature of the mouthfeel. This is a beautiful wine. (Monica Larner)