JANCISROBINSON.COM - JUNE 2021 - 17 PTS (W.S.)
From a single vineyard of 1.24 ha (3 acres) called Le Due Porte at 540 m above sea level with a south-west exposure and planted in 2004 at a density of 4,500 vines/ha. Fermented in oak barrels and aged for 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by a further six months in two 10-hl barrels. 2,209 bottles produced, this is bottle number 40. Striking label! Not beautiful but not forgettable either. Concentrated mid ruby with orange tinges. The nose shows richness of fruit, but at the same time, it's quite composed. Dark cherry laced with laurel. Cherry fruit palate with plenty of acidity that takes the lead on the finish. Quite pure and a little austere and with plenty of life ahead. Cool-climate kind of wine and with modest alcohol although this is from a hot vintage. 13.5% Drink 2020 – 2030.

WINE & SPIRITS - APRIL 2021 - 95 PTS (S.J.)
This is the first release of a single-vineyard Brunello from a plot of high-elevation vines replanted in 2004, and its immensely appealing. The vines of Le Due Porte are rooted in limestone-rich soils and sit at 1,770 feet above sea level, ripening more slowly and later than the estate's other vineyards and gaining an extra edge of complexity that shines through in this wine's red-cherry flavors that are bold, vivid and detailed. It's an exciting project to watch in the coming years and a wine to seek out, if you can find one of the 2,200 bottles produced.

TUSCAN VINES - FEB 2021 - 93 PTS (J.F.)
The 2015 Il Palazzone Le Due Porte Brunello is a Cru wine from the estate's highest vineyard. Lying directly next to the cellar, it's often called the "home" vineyard. In great vintages, some of the fruit from this vineyard will be reserved for the Cru bottling. 2016 is the next one coming. In the glass, the wine is a deep violet that shows a copper rim at the edge of the bowl. This is super elegant, graceful and feminine. Crushed red plums, warmed earth, cigar tobacco and dusty spices mark the nose. On the palate, this was shy at first. Flavors of fresh berry mix with cured meat, soft wood and baking spices. This was really tight despite being decanted for an hour. It needs cellaring to show it's best. I can't wait to try this one again in 5-10 years time.

THE WINE ADVOCATE - NOV 2020 - 94 PTS (M.L.)
Il Palazzone is unveiling its first single-vineyard Brunello. The new wine, the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Le Due Porte, marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the estate's American owner Richard Parsons and winemaker Maurizio Castelli. This is the first bottling of this wine that comes from a mere 2,000 liters of wine drawn from a tiny 1.24-hectare parcel. The Il Palazzone 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Le Due Porte sports a modern label design that makes a handsome impression. The wine is streamlined and compact with a good mix of wild berry, sour cherry, apple blossom and lilac. There are some light mineral dustings as well. With only 2,209 bottles made, I'd suggest holding on a little longer to give this Brunello more time to flesh out in the bottle. Drinking window 2023-2040.

VINOUS.COM - NOV 2020 - 93 PTS (E.G.)
The 2015 Le Due Porte from Il Palazzone is the first vintage for this cru Brunello di Montalcino. It lifts up with a dark and alluring display of musky red fruit laced with smoky minerals, incense and dusty dry earth tones. The textures are silky and refined, coming across as quite elegant, while cascading a contrasting mix of tart wild berries, licorice and savory spice across the palate. The balance here is quite admirable, not showing the ripeness of the year in any way and instead coming across as classically dry, with great length and the potential for a medium-term stay in the cellar. Drinking window 2024-2032.

WINESCRITIC.COM - NOV 2020 - 95 PTS (R.V.)
Dynamic and extremely defined thanks to the precision of execution, it gives pleasant memories of lavender, eucalyptus leaves, warm white stone, chalk and talc. In the background the noble soul is revealed in the citrus notes of mandarin and bergamot. Full bodied with silky tannins perfectly fused in the matrix and an essential final pure art form in the grandeur of a vintage to be framed in Montalcino. Drink from 2022 onwards...