Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018

WINE OVERVIEW

In 1985 Cosimo Loia and Antonietta Palazzo planted the Sangiovese Grosso vines destined for the Brunello, which they began to vinify in 1990, first as Rosso di Montalcino, with the help of their children. Then in 1994, when the vines reached the nine years of age necessary for the grapes to ripen properly, they finally celebrated the first harvest of Brunello di Montalcino.

Tasting Notes

Vivid ruby red with an ample and complex nose. Aromas of balsamic, sage and rosemary with hints of small red fruits. Full-bodied, well-structured and balanced with a very seductive tannic finish.

Food Pairing

An exceptional wine that is perfect for special occasions. Try with hearty meals, red meats or aged cheeses.

95
Smoke, woodland, cedar and wax notes to the fore, then dried cherries and ripe red fruit with macerated violets. The velvety tannins are balanced by good fruit concentration and crisp acidity. The body is full, the finish warming. Drink or hold. James Suckling July 2024
94
Darkly floral, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva opens in the glass with an alluring blend of crushed plums, balsam herbs and exotic spices. This is cool-toned with lifted textures and pure wild berry fruits swirling across saline minerals. It finishes tactile and long, with residual acidity that keeps the mouth watering despite the crunchy tannins that remain as hints of licorice slowly fade. This beautifully balanced Riserva will require only a few years of cellaring to come fully into focus. It’s a pleasure to taste. Vinous November 2023

Tech Details

The vineyards are located on the South-East facing side of Montalcino, overlooking Val d'Orcia. Protected from the sea breezes coming in from the west. This well-ventilated area guarantees an optimal microclimate, without humidity stagnation and wetness during the growing season and natural protection from the main vine diseases (botrytis and downy mildew).

  • Harvest: The grapes are hand harvested during the last days of September and first days of October.
  • Weather: Seasonal weather. March was characterized by average rainfall and temperatures. Rainy April during the opening of the buds. Flowering in May had average weather and the rainfall was concentrated in the middle of the month. The plants revealed excellent vegetative health.
  • Soil: Dry & stony. The soil is mostly composed of "galestro" pure marl, small areas of limestone and sand with layers of skeleton and rocks.
  • Fermentation: In 10 hl cement tanks, spontaneous fermentation without adding yeasts, maceration for about 20-24 days at a constantly controlled temperature of  82-86°F.
  • Barrels: 10hl Slavonian oak casts + 500 lt French oak tonneaux.
  • Aging: 36 months in 10/20 hl oak casks and another 12 months in 5 hl French tonneaux of medium roasting. Aged an additional 8-10 months in bottle before release. Only produced during the best years with very selected grapes.
  • Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese
  • Region: Tuscany, Italy
  • Avg Elevation: 980-1150 feet
  • Avg Age of Vines: 37 years
  • PH: 3.2
  • Alcohol: 15%
  • Size: 6/750ml
  • UPC: 803288003028

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Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 Bottle Shot
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Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 Label
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Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 Shelf Talker
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Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 Regional Map
Italy Portfolio Press Recap (pdf)
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