Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020 5000ml

Ruby red with violet reflections; on the nose, a classic Sangiovese bouquet: black cherry, barberry, raspberry, plum and blood orange, underscored by mint, cedar, cherry stones, dried violet blossoms, a touch of cinnamon and vanilla, crushed stone, undergrowth and foliage. The 2020 vintage shows depth and complexity while already feeling very inviting.

The grapes grow in Col d'Orcia's south-facing vineyards in Montalcino, on a hill overlooking the Orcia river at around 300 metres above sea level. The estate lies within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val d'Orcia and farms 142 hectares of vines, 108 of them planted to Brunello; sheep and goats graze between the rows, and compost from the estate's own cycle nourishes the soils. 2020 brought a hot summer with showers in late August; in September, the temperature swings between day and night favoured the synthesis of polyphenols.

Single-varietal Sangiovese. Hand-harvested with strict selection in the vineyard and again at the sorting table in the cellar. The must ferments for around 15 days below 28 °C in shallow, wide 150-hectolitre steel tanks, designed for gentle extraction of tannin and colour. After malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for four years: 32 months in Slavonian and Allier oak botti of 25, 50 and 75 hectolitres, followed by at least twelve months in bottle at controlled temperature.

Dense, juicy and ripe, supple yet taut: the acidity and tannin structure typical of Sangiovese carries sweet red and dark berries, cherry, bread spices, a hint of quatre épices, ground stone and foliage. The finish is long and coating, with liquorice and candied orange zest. 14.5% vol., dry.

Braised beef, bistecca alla fiorentina, wild boar ragù and aged pecorino.

Large-format 5000 ml bottle. The classic ageing in large wooden casks, a practice the Marone Cinzano family has upheld for decades, gives the wine ample reserves for long-term cellaring.