Brunello di Montalcino (2014)

About this wine

This is 100 percent Sangiovese from Montalcino that opens with aromas of wild cherry, blackberry and dried floral notes, followed by leather and tobacco. The palate is medium to full bodied with bright acidity, fine sandy tannins and a clear mineral backbone that keeps the wine focused. Flavors move from sour cherry and cranberry to underbrush and a hint of orange zest, finishing with a savory tobacco note. The 2014 vintage at Mastrojanni was assembled from the estate fruit typically destined for cru bottlings, and the wine spent roughly three years in French and Slavonian oak before a short period in bottle. Alcohol is around 14 percent and critics have noted the wine for its polished texture and old world framing, making it approachable now but with enough structure to evolve a few more years.

About the grape

This Brunello is made from 100 percent Sangiovese, locally known as Brunello or Sangiovese Grosso, the single variety legally required for Brunello di Montalcino and the historical grape of the region. At Mastrojanni the vine plantings span roughly 180 to 420 meters above sea level on a mix of clay, tuff, sandstone and calcareous pebble soils, with south east and south west exposures and some single vineyard blocks, including Vigna Loreto planted with small berry clones in 1999 that give a darker, more concentrated expression. In the vineyard the estate favors relatively high density spacing and training that allows mechanical work while encouraging deep rooting, and in the cellar they vinify in concrete and age primarily in large neutral barrels to let Sangiovese and its site specific traits speak clearly.

Quick facts

• ✂️ In the tricky 2014 vintage the estate removed one third of the grapes so only the very best fruit went into this Brunello.
• 🍾 Mastrojanni made about 39,000 bottles of the 2014 Brunello, making it a relatively limited release for the estate.
• 🌱 Because the single cru bottlings were not produced that year fruit from Vigna Loreto and Vigna Schiena d'Asino were combined into this wine.
• ⛰️ The Mastrojanni estate was established in 1975 on a southeast facing knoll, the site benefits from Mount Amiata breezes that shape the wines' character.
• ❄️ During fermentation the team kept temperatures lower than usual to preserve fresh floral and aromatic notes in a vintage that tended to ripen quickly.

Palate profile

Producer

Mastrojanni, established in 1975 by Gabriele Mastrojanni, is located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, within the Montalcino municipality of Tuscany, Italy. Recognizing the area's potential, Mastrojanni transformed the San Pio and Loreto estates into vineyards, becoming one of the early producers of Brunello di Montalcino in this region. The estate spans approximately 110 hectares, with 41 hectares dedicated to vine cultivation, situated at altitudes ranging from 180 to 420 meters above sea level. In 2008, the Illy Group acquired Mastrojanni, continuing its legacy of producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the area.