Ugolaia Brunello di Montalcino (2017)

About this wine

The 2012 Lisini Ugolaia Brunello di Montalcino is a full-bodied red wine made entirely from Sangiovese grapes. It presents a deep ruby red color that evolves to orange hues with age. On the nose, it offers elegant ethereal notes accompanied by hints of goudron, undergrowth, violet, and vanilla. The palate is dry, soft, and full, with a satisfying finish and great texture. This wine is produced from the estate's oldest vines in the Ugolaia vineyard, a 1.5-hectare plot with southwest exposure, and is only made in the best vintages.

About the grape

Sangiovese, whose name translates to "blood of Jupiter," is a red grape variety deeply rooted in Italy's winemaking history, particularly in Tuscany. In the mid-19th century, Clemente Santi of Montalcino began experimenting with a specific clone of Sangiovese, known as Sangiovese Grosso, aiming to produce a wine with greater color, tannins, and aging potential. This led to the creation of Brunello di Montalcino, a wine made exclusively from this clone. The 2012 Lisini Ugolaia Brunello di Montalcino is crafted from Sangiovese Grosso grapes cultivated in the Ugolaia vineyard, showcasing the unique characteristics imparted by this particular terroir.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The Lisini Ugolaia Brunello di Montalcino 2012 is crafted exclusively from Sangiovese grapes, a varietal that thrives in Tuscany's unique terroir.
• 🛢️ This wine undergoes an extensive aging process, spending 36 months in Slavonian oak barrels, followed by additional time in steel tanks and bottles, enhancing its complexity and depth.
• 🌋 The Ugolaia vineyard, from which this wine originates, is a single, southwest-facing plot of 1.5 hectares, known for its iron-rich, volcanic soil that imparts distinctive mineral qualities to the wine.
• 🏰 Lisini, the producer of this wine, is one of the historic estates in Montalcino, with roots dating back to the 16th century, and was among the founding members of the Brunello di Montalcino Consorzio in 1967.
• 🏆 The 2012 vintage of Lisini Ugolaia Brunello di Montalcino has received high acclaim, including a 96/100 rating from Wine Spectator, highlighting its exceptional quality and aging potential.

Palate profile

Producer

Lisini is one of Montalcino's oldest wineries, with the Lisini-Clementi family owning land in the region since the 16th century. The estate's historic tower and loggia date back to the 1300s. In the 1960s, Elina Lisini co-founded the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino and became its first and only female president in 1970. Today, the estate spans approximately 150 hectares, with about 20 hectares dedicated to vineyards, all cultivated with Sangiovese grapes. The winery maintains traditional winemaking methods, including fermentations in cement tanks and aging in large Slavonian oak casks.