Alcohol: 14.5%
Grape(s): 100% Sangiovese selected from Montalcino
Localization: Tuscany, Italy
Tasting Notes: Elegant and well balanced, powerful, but clean and smooth and a dynamic rising finale.
Notes: Vineyards in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, at elevations of 150-350 metres on well-exposed hillslopes south-east of Montalcino. Maturation in Slavonian and French oak barrels for a minimum of 24 months, in special vintages up to 36 months. Bottle ageing for a minimum of 6 months before released for sale.
Vinous: 94+ Points: Balsam herbs cocoa and sweet white smoke give way to crushed black cherry and plum as the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is elegance personified silky deep and round yet delivering a core of saline-minerality that creates a savory sensation ? umami in a way ? with masses of ripe red fruits and confectionary spices to contrast. The tannins are sweet and round presenting a chiseled structure; yet it?s not forceful. This tapers off with a tart twang of sour wild berries under an air of lavender and violets. Wow; there is so much concentration and depth here but also balance. In fact there?s hardly a sign of this being from a difficult vintage. While I expect it will have a shorter life than an Uccelliera Brunello from a classic year the 2017 should not be missed.
Food Pairing: Roast and stewed red meats, game, aged cheeses
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.
Buy 6 bottles of regularly priced (not on sale) wines and receive 5% off.
Buy 12 and receive 10% off.
Email sale wines do not combine nor count towards the above discount.
