San Carlo Brunello di Montalcino 2020

San Carlo Brunello di Montalcino 2020

This is the true character of Montalcino, born from an honest family farm. Bold fruit, suave tannins, and as long as a Montalcino summer sunset. What a beautiful wine!

WINERY: Azienda Agricola San Carlo

WINEMAKER: Gemma and Giancarlo Marcucci (daughter/father)

ESTABLISHED: 1965

REGION: ITALY • Tuscany • Montalcino

APPELLATION: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

BLEND: 100% Sangiovese

VINEYARDS: Estate-owned and planted parcels, totaling just over seven acres at some 1,200 feet in altitude, are located near the hamlet of Tavernelle, southwest of Montalcino. Vines are surrounded by nearly 20 acres of wild forest. Soils are a mix of sand, limestone and clay.

AGE OF VINES: 20 to 50 years

WINEMAKING: Hand-harvested in small crates. Destemmed. Fermented on indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks; malolactic conversation in tank. Aged in older Slavonian casks (“botti,” 27HL and 18HL) for three years, then at least eight months in bottle.

TASTING IMPRESSIONS: Aromas of small red fruits, summer berry, autumn leaves, blond tobacco, spice. Structured yet suave, fine-grained tannins.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Grilled steak; air-dried salami; wild mushroom risotto

Reviews

Jeb Dunnuck – “Jeweled red/ruby-colored, the 2020 San Carlo Brunello Di Montalcino is pure and ripe with aromas of kirsch, sweet flowers, lavender, crushed rosemary, and a hint of trufflly earth. Plush and medium to full-bodied, it’s elegant and supple, with ripe tannins, a velvety texture, and lovely freshness. It’s pure class, with hints of more savory rich porcini on the finish, and it’s going to drink well over the coming 10-12 years.” (95 Pts)

Vinous – “The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is youthfully coy in the glass, but swirling unlocks depths of complexity. Dried black cherries and roses are complicated by crushed rocks, spiced orange peels and leather strips. This is soothingly round and supple, displaying ripe red and black fruit aromas that saturate the palate in youthful tension. A tinge of sour citrus combines with a salty flourish as silken tannins resonate under a bitter hint of ground clove through the long and dramatic finale.” (94 Pts)