Brunello di Montalcino

Italy
Tuscany
2016

100% Sangiovese. Fonterenza grows 4.2 contiguous hectares of hilly vineyards just southeast of the town of Montalcino. The crown jewel of their holdings is a 1.6-hectare parcel valled Vigna del Bosco, so named for the fact that the steep, south-facing, amphitheater-shaped vineyard is entirely surrounded by thick woods. The Padovanis planted Vigna del Bosco in 1999 on this special site featuring complex galestro soils that vary quite a bit from top to bottom of the hill. They harvest it by hand in multiple passes.

Like their vineyard work, Fonterenza's cellar work is mindful and meticulous. The bunches are destemmed by hand and fermented spontaneously in Slavonian oak vats with a maceration of 20 to 30 days (whether there are punchdowns or only a cappello sommerso varies with the vintage). Typically, the wine ages for the first 2 years in 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti, followed by 3 more years in successively smaller botti. The wine is bottled without filtration and aged further, in other words always well beyond the requirements of the Brunello DOCG. Unlike the majority of their peers, the Padovanis do not release their Brunello until they consider if ready to drink, so inevitably the current vintage in the market is "behind" most other Brunellos by at least a couple of years.

95 points
"The hauntingly beautiful 2013 Brunello di Montalcino captivates with its heady bouquet. Violette candies give way to crushed black cherries, cloves, balsamic spice and Tuscan dust. Its velvety textures and full-bodied weight communicate undeniable elegance, all perfectly balanced by the saline-minerals, brisk acids and a wave of tart wild berry fruits within. This leaves a coating of fine tannins under an air of shaved cedar, as hints of tangerine, plum and rum-soaked raisins slowly taper off. While there are many years of positive development in store for collectors, the 2013 is already showing so beautifully. Fonterenza only releases wines when they believe they are ready, so the 2013 is the current-vintage Brunello. 2023-2033. Eric Guido."
Eric Guido,
Vinous Media
January 2022
94 points
"Spiced and expressive, the 2016 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a deep ruby with a purple tinge and has enveloping aromas of fresh pine, pressed violets, blackberry, and scorched earth. It is full-bodied, though not heavy, with notes of black plum, tea leaf, leather, and freshly turned soil. Its ripe tannins are present but not drying and fill a long arch of fruit throughout. Drink 2024-2040."
Audrey Frick,
Jeb Dunnuck
March 2023

SKU/Code: 
DB0265-16
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Sangiovese
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic