Brunello di Montalcino (2019)

About this wine

The 2019 Andretta Brunello di Montalcino offers a deep ruby red color with garnet highlights. On the nose, it presents intense aromas of ripe red fruits like cherries and strawberries, complemented by subtle notes of cedar and elderflower. The palate is smooth and elegant, showcasing a medium body with velvety tannins that provide a graceful structure. This wine is known for its balance and precision, making it enjoyable upon release, yet it also has the potential to develop further complexity with age. The 2019 vintage in Montalcino is considered exceptional, contributing to the wine's remarkable depth and longevity.

About the grape

Sangiovese, whose name means "blood of Jove," is a red grape variety that has been cultivated in Italy for centuries. In the mid-19th century, Clemente Santi in Montalcino selected a particular clone of Sangiovese, known as Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello, which had thicker skins and produced wines with deeper color and more robust tannins. This clone became the foundation for Brunello di Montalcino wines, which are made exclusively from Sangiovese Grosso grapes. The unique terroir of Montalcino, with its varied soils and favorable climate, allows Sangiovese to ripen fully, contributing to the wine's complexity and aging potential.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Brunello di Montalcino is crafted exclusively from the Sangiovese grape, locally known as 'Brunello,' ensuring a pure expression of this varietal.
• 🌞 The 2019 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino is celebrated for its exceptional quality, attributed to favorable weather conditions that led to balanced and age-worthy wines.
• 🏅 Brunello di Montalcino was among the first Italian wines to receive the prestigious DOCG status in 1980, highlighting its esteemed position in Italy's wine heritage.
• 🔮 The name 'Brunello' translates to 'little dark one,' referring to the dark color and small size of the Sangiovese grapes used in its production.
• ⏳ Brunello di Montalcino wines are renowned for their remarkable aging potential, with well-made examples from exceptional vintages often developing for several decades.

Palate profile

Producer

In 1994, Rosalba Vitanza, a philosophy teacher, and her husband, aerospace engineer Guido Andretta, visited Montalcino, Italy, and fell in love with the region. They purchased a property with four acres of vineyards, leading to the establishment of Tenuta Vitanza. In 2004, to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, Rosalba created the Andretta label, producing Brunello di Montalcino wines that reflect Guido's preference for a more muscular style with enhanced French oak aging. The winery's flagship Brunello hails from their Vigna Il Lupo property in the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone, known for producing full-bodied and dense wines.