In an orchestra our Brunello di Montalcino Riserva would be the cello, deep, resonating and powerful. Produced only in the best years.
Technical Sheet
2017
DOCG
Sangiovese
450 m
South facing vineyard at 450 metres. Sandy loam and volcanic soil mix, with marl veins.
Although the winter was particularly harsh, the vineyards did not suffer from any frost damage, and the sping started with fcool temperatures and abundant precipitations. As summer drew closer, the temperatures rose above average values. Summer of 2017 was very hot and dry. Whilst the plants did suffer slightly, our high altitude ensured constant ventilation and the all-important fresh night temperatures. Rain finally arived in September, allowing the grapes to ripen under near optimal conditions.
spontaneous, on indigenous wild yeasts, in tronic oak vats
2 days at 12°C pre-fermentation, 38 days post-fermentation
6 months in french barriques followed by 4 years in large Slavonian oak barrels
4800 bottles
14.5 %
Ratings & Reviews
James Suckling
A solid Brunello with pretty berries, chocolate and cedar character. Full body, firm tannins and a chewy finish. Rich and powerful. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. This is a wine that needs another two or three years of bottle age to soften.
cod. 10-100James Suckling
I love the way the deep, dusty nose opens up as this areates, revealing very ripe fruits, and just a hint of dried fruits. The licorice and dried flowers follow. The huge dry tannins enable this concentrated and elegant wine to easily carry all the power and push the finish out a really long way. Drink or hold.
cod. 12-100
James Suckling
"Here is a Brunello with so much refinement and class combining cherry, tea and tobacco character. Full and so very polished. The length and intensity is fabulous. Incredibly powerful tannins that remain refined. Give it three or four years. Better after 2018 but fabulous now".
cod. 52-100Wine Enthusiast
The beauty and balance of this Brunello is wonderful, offering blueberry, black-cherry and violet character. It’s full-bodied, yet so layered and refined with and ultra fine palate of silky tannins. A joy to taste. From organically grown grapes. One both to drink and for the cellar.
cod. 65-100James Suckling
The purity and polish here shows wonderfully the moment you stick your nose in the glass, with complex aromas of plums, berries, cedar and violets. It’s full-bodied and ever so refined with elegant and intense tannins that take you deep into the wine. This is a thoughtful and finely crafted Brunello that needs time to show you its greatness. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2024.
cod. 76-100James Suckling
Aromas of sandalwood and strawberries, follow through to a full body, with chewy tannins and a long finish. Intense fruit. Better in 2014. From biodynamic grapes.
cod. 62-80Decanter
It exhibits all the perfumed liquorice, curry and wild scrub nuances that a walk through the vineyard offers. It's dark fruited on the palate, where shaded woodland notes come to the fore and elegant, terracotta-like tannins give assertive mid-palate presence and structure. Then after all of that depth, the wine finishes with brightness and lightness. A gratifying ride that will gain even greater precision with time.
cod. 79-80James Suckling
Sour cherries, licorice, lemon verbena and balsamic on the nose. There’s lavender and sandalwood, too. So much pure sangiovese character with tangy acidity and juicy sour and savory hints carrying this wine long. Firm, grippy tannins that are at the forefront for now. Give it a few years.
cod. 88-60Jancis Robinson
Very dark ruby with narrow, bricky rim. Quite closed on the nose with just noticeable sweet cherry touches and a little lift. Massive, monolithic cherry fruit on the palate with tangy acidity creeping up on the finish. Bags of gravelly tannins that need the polish of time. Lots of potential, but still embryonic. (WS)
cod. 91-60Jancis Robinson
Deep maturing ruby with the beginning of orange. Fine, profound iron and cherry finely spiced, with a peppery edge. Not open by far, and none of the rich characteristics of the 2007 vintage. Fine acidity turning up on the finish, with a hit of dry, bitter tannins on the finish. Well-formed concentration. Great effort, but not ready yet. (WS)
cod. 9-40Jancis Robinson
Deep ruby with orange tinges. Lifted cherry nose and a fragrant cherry and raspberry palate of almost cool-climate character. Firm tannins framing medium-bodied cool fruit. Long and focused, while the big tannins demand much more time.
cod. 11-40
Weinwisser
Dense, sweet, extremely concentrated fragrance with balsamic top notes and fine wood. Great abundance and rich structure in mouth, extremely wide, generous, and with monumental intensity. Enormous finish, ever juicy, with a gigantic fully ripe tannin yield, eternally long.
cod. 13-40
Wine Enthusiast
Tony Wood
Deep ruby red in colour. Black fruits and berries abound under a fragrant canopy of violet florals. Juicy. Exceptionally elegant with soft finesse. Utterly beguiling. Balanced with sheer appeal. Mid palate has depth of clarity and precision.
cod. 72-40Tony Wood
Medium ruby red in colour. Lifted elegance on the nose with red rose petal, violet and broom aromatics. Red cherry, wild strawberry, plum, pomegranate, feverfew and a hint of pipe tobacco.
Difficult to pull away from this exquisite bouquet. Secondary nuances of ginger and clove. Showing ripeness, structure and flavour vary. Hint of a citrusy shadow on the close.