NV Montenisa Cuvee Royal Brut

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Telltale Franciacorta for its stone-fruit character enhanced by broom flowers and lemon zest. Medium-bodied with fine mousse, this has crisp, long acidity and a tight grapefruit-flavored finish. Disgorged March 2023.

91 POINTS

Falstaff

Brilliantly bright lemon yellow. Opens pleasantly on freshly baked butter croissant, with hazelnuts and nougat cream, followed by ripe tropical fruit, ripe pineapple and banana. Builds with depth, shows intensity and finely-meshed mousse, rich texture fills the entire palate, long-lasting finish.

91 POINTS

Falstaff

Bright, brilliant straw yellow in colour with a fine and continuous mousse. On the nose, fresh aromas of citrus fruit, white-fleshed fruit, pear, lychee and floral hints. The palate is fresh and citrusy, with a good balance between acidity and salinity. A persistent finish.

90 POINTS

Falstaff

Bright, pale straw yellow with persistent mousse. Distinctly yeasty nuances on the nose, candied fruit, wet stone, with a slight aftertaste of lemon powder. Compact on the palate with a delicate fruit texture, rounded on the palate and in the finish, well-integrated mousse, bold and juicy.

Monica Larner - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The NV Franciacorta Cuvée Royale Brut is an easy-drinking sparkling wine with a profoundly fresh, zesty and food-friendly personality. This lean-bodied blend of 78% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Nero and 10% Pinot Bianco offers pretty layers of citrus, white fruit and honeysuckle. It only sees contact with stainless steel, and the primary fruit intensity is intact and bright as a result. Some 300,000 bottles were released.

Monica Larner - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Marchese Antinori's NV Franciacorta Cuvèe Royal is a relatively new edition to the family portfolio of sparkling wines. This is a very sharp and direct bubbly with tonic aromas of lime, white peach and slightly under-ripe honeydew melon. The aromas are crisp and slightly green at the edges with garden herb, kiwi and dried basil. This sparkler offers a lean mouthfeel with well delineated perlage. The blend is 78% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Nero and 10% Pinot Bianco.

Richard Hemming MW - JancisRobinson.com

78% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Nero, 10% Pinot Bianco.A Chablis-esque nose with strong saline influence and oyster-shell character. Rounded, smooth and with decent length on the palate. Distinctive, mineral style. Score: 17/20