Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 2020

Alcohol: 15%

Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese selected from Montalcino

Localization: Tuscany, Italy 

Tasting Notes: Fresh, young Montalcino in a glass.  Brave + regal foremost; Spearmint and brush, mandarin orange, black cherry and black currant, cedar, red flowers.  Palate is structured with herbs, black fruits, and tannins that show wonderfully with food now and will also age this wine to ultimate finesse.  Brunello di Montalcino is one of the greatest wines in all of Italy, Uccelliera being one of the best producers of these King wines, from a lovely farmer-led small family.  This "Rosso" (less aging, made for younger consumption) allows us to soak up Montalcino greatness without the price tag.  

Notes: Vineyards in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, at elevations of 150-350 meters on well-exposed hillslopes southeast of Montalcino. Maturation in Slavonian and French oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months, in special vintages up to 36 months. Bottle aging for a minimum of 6 months before being released for sale.

Food Pairing: Pairs well with pasta and rice dishes, pies, vegetable dishes, red and white meat dishes.

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.