San Polo, Brunello di Montalcino 2014

PRODUCER

This property was purchased by Marilisa Allegrini in 2006. Marilisa has continued to invest heavily in the estate, and this investment is now evident in the ever-increasing quality of the wines. Situated in the eastern part of Montalcino, this estate covers 22 hectares of which 16 are under vine, and produces wines that are classic in style, but with a bit more weight than would be found to the north of the zone.

VINEYARDS

The grapes for this wine come from vineyards covering approximately nine hectares, planted between 1990 and 2000. They are situated at an altitude of 450 metres above sea level, facing south-southwest on chalky, clay soils. They are spur-cordon trained with a density of 4,000-7,000 plants per hectare.

VINTAGE

An unusually warm winter encouraged early budding, which came with the attendant high risk of frost damage. During spring, rain and relatively high temperatures seemed to provide ideal conditions for the proliferation of the spores which cause downy mildew which necessitated careful and vigilant vineyard management. Rainfall continued until the beginning of September. The lack of light slowed the ripening process, cancelling out, day on day, the phenological properties accumulated during the month of May. Nevertheless, excellent exposure and constant breezes enabled the grapes to reach harvest time in good health and with ideal ripeness, giving rise to wines with distinct personality and elegance.

VINIFICATION

The grapes were hand picked into 17 kilogram crates towards the end of September. Once at the winery, the berries were selected and softly crushed. Fermentation took place in temperature- controlled concrete tanks for up to 22 days with temperatures reaching a maximum of 28-30°C. The wine was then racked into medium-toasted 500 litre Slavonian oak tonneaux where malolactic fermentation took place. The wine remained in these tonneaux for a period of 24 months, followed by extended ageing in bottle.

TASTING NOTES

In the glass, this Brunello has an intense ruby red colour with garnet hues. The typical aromas of violets and red berries are followed by hints of vanilla, cedar and coffee. On the palate, it is full-bodied and warm with a densely-woven texture and robust tannins, while the finish is persistent and rounded.