Col d’Orcia - Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG,

Tuscany,

italy

Latest Awards

96 points Wine Enthusiast , November 2023

93 points Wine Advocate , March 2023

Background

As one of the original estates of Montalcino and now the largest certified organic vineyard in Tuscany, Col d’Orcia is a leader in Brunello di Montalcino helping to define and promote one of Italy’s most prestigious wines. Tradition, integrity, and sustainability are the pillars of the estate, whose classic style wines are marked by balance and elegance. Col d’Orcia is considered a “traditional” producer of Brunello di Montalcino for its use of aging wine in large Slavonian oak barrels and for the prolonged periods in which the wines are aged. This process ensures that Sangiovese is the true star; the backbone to the wine’s structure and age-ability, rather than the oak.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

The estate’s name translates to “the hill overlooking the Orcia River,” due to its position in between the undulating hills of the Orcia River and Sant’Angelo in Colle. Here, vineyards are comprised of limestone and marl soils. At 1,500 ft a.s.l., the estate is favorably positioned against Mount Amiata, which helps protect against floods and hail. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with limited rainfall coming in from the Tyrrhenian coast, 21 miles away. The 2018 vintage in Montalcino was challenging, yet highly rewarding, with outstanding results in the southern part of Montalcino. Winter snowfall helped create precious hydrological reserves, which helped the soils release humidity during spring. Late spring and summer saw abundant rainfall, with levels of humidity reminiscent of vintages from the 1990s. A hailstorm in July reduced yields by about 20%. Combing and pre-selection of bunches started in June and lasted throughout the summer. Relatively warmer days paired with good thermal excursion supported excellent ripening. Sangiovese this vintage offered deep aromatic complexity and great acidity, making for an elegant vintage with a classic aging potential.

Winemaking & Aging

Manual harvest with rigorous selection of the best grapes in the vineyard and cellar. Temperature controlled 18–20-day fermentation in shallow, stainless-steel tanks designed to extract tannin and color efficiently but delicately. The wine is aged three years in 25, 50 and 75 hl Slavonian and Allier (French) oak casks, followed by one year refinement in bottle.

Tasting Notes

Pleasant fruity notes of black cherry and jam, followed by the classic hints of spices and vanilla. The profile is warm, with ripe and clear tannins. Intense and persistent, leading to a long finish.