Clear, purple-red in colour, with good depth and 'legs' indicating the certain structure. Intensely perfumed on the nose, with fruit aromas including blackberries, blackcurrants and cherries a dominant theme. In the mouth, the wine is full bodied, with tremendous depth and richness, attractive fruit and well balanced acidity. One of the most sought after wines from Italy is Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany. This hill town is the home of about 7000 people, and has been a center for agriculture, arts and politics since the 13th Century. When visiting Florence, wine lovers can bask in the Tuscan sunlight, visit olive groves, taste wine, drink Vin Santo and see amazing art, such as the David. Known for aging up to 50-100 years, Brunello di Montalcino exhibit violets, chestnuts and berries in the nose with a warm palate of smoky, peppery currants. Today’s modern winemakers are making more accessible wines, and trying to change the laws of aging, but Brunello must be barrel aged for a minimum of 3 years in barrel and 12 months in bottle, prior to release, according to the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controlata e Garantita) laws as stated. The grape used is a clone of Sangiovese, named Sangiovese Grosso , which the folks in Brunello consider to be better, more regal and more noble, than its Chianti cousin. The delicate pink juice of the tiny, nearly black-skinned Brunello grape yields a dark, purple-red wine which is characterized by extraordinary concentration, elevated acidity and enormous tannic extract.

Cantina di Montalcino is the only working cooperative in the Montalcino area was founded in 1975. The winery was then acquired by Cantine Leonardo da Vinci in 1990. There are ninety associate growers whose combined lands cover 108 hectares of land. The winery is located in the Val di Cave, one of the most beautiful and fascinating localities around Montalcino where many of the associate vineyards lie. Throughout each year, expert enologists, agronomists and other wine technicians collaborate with associate growers to produce grapes of the highest quality possible. The common objective of these professionals is to bring grapes to the winery that are in the best condition, perfectly matured and rich in those substances that allow for optimal vinification. Cantina di Montalcino is a modern approach to the cooperative winery, similar to that of many New World wineries recently affirmed on the international market. All the associates are known to produce the best grapes possible by offering greater economic compensation the higher the quality of grape conferred. It is a group of grape growers and wine makers that are considered some of the best in the world of wines.

RATINGS: 5 Stars - DECANTER
"Origin: Tuscany, Central, Italy
Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino
Typical Grape Composition: Sangiovese
Aromatic, pure Sangiovese, dried herb nuance. Elegant, fresh red berry fruit, gentle spice, good freshness, grippy tannins. Drink 2008-16."

88 Points - Robert Francis UK
"Fruit sourced from the small hilly communes near Montalcino. Cantine Di Montalcino sources their fruit from throughout the commune. That way it gives them a blend of all different characteristics that the region has to offer. On the nose there were nice notes of blackberry, and liquorice. The nose has the distinct elegance that you expect from Brunello. On the palate the fruit is soft, rounded, with a touch of plum and spice. As required in Montalcino, it is 5 years after the vintage that the wines are released with three years in Slovenian Oak and two years in bottle...."