2018 Castello Abate Brunello di Montalcino

 100% organic Sangiovese Grosso from 40 year old vines on Castelnuovo dell’Abate’s limestone rich marl soil.  Hand harvested and fermented with native yeasts in steel, then aged for three and a half years in 5,000 liter neutral French, plus one (<5% of total production) “small” 500 liter new french oak barrel added every vintage, or two. Intense and powerful, rich in aromas, with fruity notes of blackberry and blueberry combined with hints of chocolate, coffee bean, and fresh earth and just a bit of toasty oak spice. Smooth on the palate, with firm tannins and generous acidity underscoring the richness here, which speaks generally to the cool 2018 vintage, which provided excellent wines for near-term drinking. 

Carla Visconti farms a small, certified organic vineyard 7-8 minutes southeast of Montalcino proper. In addition to her impressive skills as a vigneronne, Carla is an accomplished artist. Her boldly colored, modernistic front label is La Rinascita ("the rebirth"), painted in swinging, psychedelic, 1970's Florence. Carla says La Rinascita represents "the defeat of evil and the birth of good that never dies and is always reborn." Talk that talk, Carla! We love it. The vineyard is limestone-rich clay, vines are 34-41 years old, and juice is vinified in 5,000 liter neutral French, plus one (<5% of total production) "small" 500 liter new french oak barrel added every vintage, or two. These are classic Montalcino reds - direct and primary in their youth, and only spookier and deeper with time in bottle. -Importer Notes