Brunello di Montalcino & Super Tuscans

Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy's most famous and prestigious wines and is made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes grown on the slopes around Montalcino. Despite some stiff competition from the newer firmament of self-styled “Super Tuscans,” Brunello di Montalcino has comfortably retained its title as Tuscany’s finest and most lauded wine. At its best, it is a wine like no other in the region: dense, elegant and extremely long-lived. Its signature scent and flavor have made it a darling of collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.

The secret to its magic is, as ever, the unique terroir; situated far south of Florence in southern Tuscany, the prized Brunello vineyards enjoy a climate that is hotter and drier than any other major zone, with the high altitude vineyard sites some 400-500m above sea-level, helping to moderate the intense summer heat and main freshness in the wines. And like Burgundy a growing interest in single vineyard sites or crus is continuing to emerge, the most famous being vineyards planted around the hill of Montosoli. But, ultimately, it comes down to the skill of the producer and here Brunello di Montalcino is blessed; some of the finest, brightest and most dynamic winemakers are found in these vineyards. DOCG Brunello di Montalcino must contain 100% Sangiovese, and cannot be released until the 4th year after the harvest – an extra year’s pre-release aging allows the wine to adopt the designation Riserva.