Brunello di Montalcino

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.

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. Although 2020 was a hot vintage, the climatic trend was optimal: winter without frost, a dry spring, and rains in summer that allowed for optimal ripening of Sangiovese. Even the occasional summer heat waves were no problem for the vines. The 2020 vintage has been awarded 5 stars based on climate conditions and health of the grapes, per the Consorzio del Brunello and a team of Masters of Wine selected to rate the vintage.

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.

Complex and elegant aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherry and sour cherry, and hints of jam that give way to spicy notes of vanilla and light toast. The palate has a dense, ripe, and balanced tannic texture and a savory finish. The finish is fruit-forward and persistent.