Alcohol: 14,5%
Grape(s): Sangiovese
Localization: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
Tasting notes: Bright ruby red. The nose is fresh, fruity, cherry and red fruit, with a tannic note in the finish. The palate is dry, supple, quite tannic, well-balanced, medium body, with good persistence.
Food pairing: Goes well with pasta and rice dishes, pies, vegetable dishes, red and white meat dishes.
92 Points Vinous: The Rosso di Montalcino is drop-dead gorgeous, slowly unfolding in the glass; at first smokey and herbal, yet gaining depths of dark red fruits and sweet spice over time. It’s silky-smooth in texture, contrasted by savory wild berry, plum, and zesty acids, with purple-tinged inner florals amassing toward the close. Licorice and hints of black currant linger, along with a coating of round tannins, making for a lightly structured yet still highly enjoyable finale.
The Domain: The Uccelliera estate was at once part of neighboring Ciacci Piccolomini until 1986 when winemaker Andrea Cortonesi purchased it from his friends and former employers. After refining his trade as cellar master for Ciacci, Andrea ventured out on his own with the formation of Uccelliera. His first vintage was 1991 with the production of a mere 500 bottles!
The wines have quickly become cult favorites amongst the cognoscenti. Tucked away in the southeast corner of the appellation in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, the soil here is loose and stony which when coupled with a warm microclimate gives the wines of Uccelliera a rich and ripe expression, vintage after vintage. Two hectares adjacent to Ciacci’s famous ‘Pianrosso’ vineyard was recently added to this boutique estate, bringing the total to a mere six hectares. Andrea Cortonesi is tireless in his approach to winemaking, with all vineyard work done exclusively by hand.
