Cellar for up to 15 years. No need to decant before serving.

The Val d’Orcia nature reserve in Tuscany has long been recognised for its rolling hills, it’s natural and secluded beauty and the distinctly fertile soil. The wine estate of Castiglion (walled castle) del Bosco (wood) has soaked up the turbulent history of these parts for more than 1000 years. In something of a renaissance in 2003 the whole estate was modernised and updated, and clearly the effort was all worthwhile when you reflect on some of the exceptional scores offered by some of the world’s best wine critics.

The grapes for the Brunello di Montalcino are 100% sangiovese. Taking advantage of the rolling terrain they’re grown at 350m and face the Mediterranean. The soil contains higher proportions of clay shale and marl, both sedimentary derivatives, which are fundamental to this wine.

Fermentation in large steel tanks takes 18 days, with the temperature controlled at 28°C. The young wine is then matured for two years in French oak barriques.

Brunello di Montalcino has an intense ruby colour hinting at the vivid fruit within. Complex and full-bodied there are flavours of dried cherry, liquorice, leather, clove and even a little fragrance of violet. The tannins are predominant but supersmooth, and almost silky. The 2015 harvest garnered an astonishing 97 points from James Suckling.

Delicious with rich pork and beef dishes such as, tordelli filled with pork capocollo and diavola sauce