Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

The Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020 from Le Chiuse comes from the cool northeastern flank of Montosoli and shows its floral, herb-spiced character with aromas of cherry pit and wild juniper. 14% vol., drinking window 2026 to 2046.

The vines stand in the Località Valdicava on the northeastern flank of Montosoli: seven hectares of pure Sangiovese across two levels, a lower terrace at around 300 metres and an upper one at nearly 500 metres above sea level. Beneath lie galestro schist, calcareous marl and clay with a core of volcanic tuff. Harvest took place on 17 September 2020, at around 50 hectolitres per hectare, half of what the consortium permits. The vineyards have carried Italy's organic certification since 2005.

100 percent Sangiovese Grosso from massal selection of the BS 11 clone, which Ferruccio Biondi Santi himself selected on these slopes. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, maceration at around 29 degrees, followed by 36 months of ageing exclusively in large 30-hectolitre Slavonian oak botti, no barrique. The cellar works by gravity, the wine flows without pumping. The wood provides aeration, no toasted notes.

On the nose, wild woodland strawberry and sour cherry lead ahead of rose and violet, followed by fennel seed, dried sage leaves and autumn foliage. The flow is silky, the finish fine-grained and gripping, and a citrus tension stretches out the aftertaste.

Wild fowl such as pigeon, partridge or guinea fowl on lentils or cabbage, tagliatelle with hare or venison ragù, bistecca alla fiorentina with simple rosemary. For cheese, aged Pecorino di Pienza al pepe or Parmigiano Reggiano 24 mesi. Decant an hour beforehand, serve at 17 to 18 degrees.

Le Chiuse has belonged to the same family since 1790. Until 1990, the entire harvest went anonymously to Il Greppo; only in 1993 did Simonetta Valiani bottle her first own Brunello. Today her son Lorenzo Magnelli runs the cellar. Four international ratings of the 2020 vintage range between 96 and 98 points.