Brunello di Montalcino

Italy
Tuscany
2016

100% Sangiovese. Fonterenza grows 4.2 contiguous hectares of hilly vineyards in San Polo, just southeast of Montalcino. Their crown jewel is a 1.6-hectare parcel called Vigna del Bosco, so named for the fact that the steep, south-facing, amphitheater-shaped vineyard is entirely surrounded by thick woods or bosco. The Padovanis planted Vigna del Bosco in 1999. The farming is certified-biodynamic. The site features complex galestro soils that vary quite a bit from top to bottom of the hill. They harvest it by hand in multiple passes.

Like their vineyard work, Fonterenza's cellar work is mindful and meticulous. The bunches are destemmed by hand and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and a minute amount of sulfur in Slavonian oak vats with a maceration of 20 to 30 days (whether there are punchdowns or only a cappello sommerso varies with the vintage). Typically, the wine ages iin 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti for the first 2 years and then is moved into smaller botti for 2-3 more years. The wine is bottled without filtration or additional sulfur. The Padovanis do not release their Brunello until they consider it ready to drink, so inevitably the current vintage is "behind" most other Brunellos by at least a couple of vintages. 

 

94 points
"Spiced and expressive, the 2016 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a deep ruby with a purple tinge and has enveloping aromas of fresh pine, pressed violets, blackberry, and scorched earth. It is full-bodied, though not heavy, with notes of black plum, tea leaf, leather, and freshly turned soil. Its ripe tannins are present but not drying and fill a long arch of fruit throughout. Drink 2024-2040."
Audrey Frick,
Jeb Dunnuck
March 2023
95+ points
"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is the current release from Fonterenza, as they prefer to place their wines into the market as they feel they’re ready. This seduces the senses with an intense burst of exotic spice and cherry sauce offset by nuances of fresh mint and a cocoa dusting. It’s silky to the core with radiant dark red fruit energized by a core of zesty acidity, as inner earth tones and sweet herbs resonate throughout. The 2016 finishes with a totally classic feel, as a web of crunchy tannins coat the palate, leaving notes of licorice and balsamic-tinged currants to echo on. Fonterenza continues to impress vintage after vintage. They remain one of the still-under discovered gems of the region"
Eric Guido,
Vinous Media
October 2022

SKU/Code: 
DB0265-16
Product Line: 
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Sangiovese
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic