Brunello di Montalcino

Italy
Tuscany
2018

100% Sangiovese. Fonterenza grows four 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 this special sit in 1999. The soils are complex, limestone-rich and widely varied from top to bottom of the hill. The vineyard is farmed biodynamically and harvested 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 up to a month. Total aging clocks in at six years, the first three in large Slavonian oak botti and the second three years in other vessels, cement tanks in the case of 2018. The Brunello is always bottled without filtration. Due to the lengthy aging, Fonterenza's current release is usually two vintages behind the rest of the Brunello market.

92 points
"The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino opens to reveal slightly rustic aromas of saddle leather, baked cherries, turned earth, and fresh herbs. The palate is ripe and medium-bodied, with a good deal of freshness, fine tannins, and a clean finish. This attractive Brunello is starting to show very well at this stage. Drink 2025-2035."
Audrey Frick,
Jeb Dunnuck
February 2025

SKU/Code: 
DB0265-18
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Sangiovese
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic