Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

A Brunello of classic style: dense, smooth and already inviting, without giving up the acidity and tannin structure characteristic of Sangiovese.

The Sangiovese grows in Col d'Orcia's south-facing vineyards in Montalcino, on a hill above the Orcia river at around 300 metres above sea level. The estate farms 142 hectares of vines within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Val d'Orcia, 108 hectares of which are planted to Brunello. Sheep and goats graze between the rows, and compost produced on site nourishes the soils. In September 2020, wide temperature swings between day and night favoured the grapes' phenolic ripeness.

100 percent Sangiovese, hand-harvested and double-selected, both in the vineyard and on the sorting table at the winery. Fermentation on the skins lasts around 15 days below 28°C in shallow, wide 150-hectolitre steel tanks, purpose-built 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 12 months in bottle.

Ruby red with violet highlights. On the nose, black cherry, barberry, raspberry, plum and blood orange, followed by mint, cedar, cherry pit, dried violet, a touch of cinnamon and vanilla, crushed stone and foliage. The palate is juicy and ripe, sweet red and dark berry fruit meeting baking spice and quatre épices. The finish lingers long, with liquorice and candied orange peel.

With bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised wild boar stew, roast leg of lamb with rosemary or long-aged Pecorino Toscano.

Col d'Orcia belongs to the Marone Cinzano family, run by Santiago and Francesco Marone Cinzano. The estate has been farmed organically since 2010 and covers 530 hectares, half of it woodland. The Slow Wine Guide awarded it the SNAIL Award in 2023, and Wine Enthusiast named the estate Environmental Advocate of the Year in 2025. 14.5% vol., dry.