Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

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.

96
Points

The nose is warm, dry and fruity, with aromas of cranberry, cherry, strawberry and orange peel wafting above pennies jingling in the background. On the palate, rose petals accentuate the fruitiness, while the tannins are polished but not slippery, like expensive leather. A classic luxury experience. —D.C.

Wine Enthusiast - November 2023

94
Points

This promising Brunello is hallmarked by pretty cherry, strawberry, currant and floral aromas and flavors. Starts out elegant and lacy, then the dense matrix of tannins emerges, giving different character to the long finish. Reveals wild herb and mineral notes that add depth. Best from 2025 through 2043 - B.S.

Wine Spectator - March 2023

93
Points

A certified organic wine, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino has dark fruit, bold cherry, earthy notes and a hint of black olive or scorched earth. The wine is generous and round in terms of mouthfeel with a streamlined mid-palate and plenty of Sangiovese acidity to keep things lively and fresh. The tannins are well managed and silky. This is an abundant release of 200,000 bottles. -M.L.

Wine Advocate - March 2023

93
Points

Santiago Marone Cinzano explains that in 2018, délestage played a key role, especially over extended periods of 8-12 hours, allowing delicate skins to macerate with a reduced amount of juice in order to coax out sufficient concentration. Beautifully weighted, it's full yet agile with enough stuffing to carry it over the next decade. Above all, it underscores the freshness of the vintage: fragrances reveal themselves slowly but are very much in the floral spectrum, with cherry and thyme blossoms lifted by traces of pepper. Crunchy red plum and succulent cherry flavours take over on palate, where youthful grippy tannins need some time to yield. – M.M.

Decanter - November 2022

93
Points

Masses of crushed cherries and cloves give way to nuances of spiced citrus peels and cedar as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino comes to life in the glass. This is round and pliant on the palate, with a balanced inner sweetness contrasting its mineral-tinged acids and tart wild berry fruits. Grippy tannins mount toward the close, yet fail to slow the 2018’s momentum, as notes of salted licorice are left to resonate under an air of dried roses. This is a deep and characterful rendition of Col d'Orcia’s Brunello, but patience will be required to unlock all of its charms. -E.G.

Vinous - October 2022

93
Points

Roasted herbs, wild cherries, thyme and dried mushrooms on the nose. Medium to full body with silky yet firm tannins supporting supple and fresh layers. Excellent length with a delectably savory character. From organically grown grapes. Drink after 2023. -J.S.

James Suckling - December 2022

Appellation

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

grape varieties

100% Sangiovese

Sizes

750ml, 750 ml, 375ml

technical details
  • ABV: 14.5%
  • TA: 5.5 g/l
  • Closure: Cork
  • Vegan
winemaker

Antonino Tranchida

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

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