Red Wine Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino 2014. Enchanted by the beauty of the land here in Montalcino, the Villa Poggio Salvi estate was purchased by Pierluigi Tagliabue in 1979. Today the winery has over 21 hectares of vines planted with the local Sangiovese Grosso grape which are overseen by Tagliabue and his grandson, Luca Belingardi, who is the estate’s winemaker. Conditions here are ideal for making fine Brunello di Montalcino wines thanks to the 300-500 metres of altitude, rich clay soils and cooling breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea. When combined with hot summer days, these factors help to preserve freshness and balance in the grapes as well as ample fruity flavours. This is a classic example of Brunello di Montalcino which is crafted from hand-harvested Sangiovese Grosso grapes from the estate’s vineyards. In the winery the young wine ages for 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks. This helps create a traditional Brunello flavour profile with plenty of bright red fruit notes and hints of tobacco and sweet cinnamon spice. The lengthy ageing period softens the tannins to give a remarkably soft texture and makes this an ideal partner for classic Italian dishes like pappardelle served with a rich ragu sauce.
2014
Red Wine Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino 2014
Red Wine Madonna Nera Brunello di Montalcino 2014. Decant for one hour before serving. Madonna Nera is named after the ancient name for the land where the estate’s prime vineyard plots lie close to the classic Tuscan hilltop town of Montalcino. The grapes for this stunning Brunello are sourced from 2 hectares of vines near the evocative 12th century Abbey of Sant’Antimo where the region’s tradition of winemaking thrived under the Benedictine monks. Today the land is under the watchful eye of enologist Carlo Ferrini who is one of Italy’s best known winemakers. His Madonna Nera Brunello is produced in very limited quantities each year from carefully selected Sangiovese grapes which are typically harvested in mid-October when they reach optimum maturity. Once in the winery the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks and the young wine is then transferred to large oak casks for 30 months followed by another 10 months of ageing in the bottle. The result is a powerful yet well-balanced red with rich dark fruit flavours matched by a bright freshness. On the nose there are intense plum, red cherry, leather and dried herb notes which deepen on the palate into crushed wild berries, cigar box spice and heady tobacco. The firm structure makes this a great addition to any cellar or it can be enjoyed now alongside hearty tomato-based pasta dishes, red meat or game.
2014
Red Wine COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Delle Fontane 2014. Decant for 2 hours before serving. One of Italy’s top biodynamic producers, the COS estate was founded in 1980 by three pioneering young winemakers, Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti. The trio felt inspired to return to their families’ roots here in south-eastern Sicily and start making wines in a way that was in harmony with nature. Their work over the past four decades has transformed the Cerasuolo di Vittoria appellation, helping it to be the first Sicilian wine to achieve the prestigious DOCG status in 2005. This thoroughly modern expression of the appellation is made with 40% Frappato and 60% Nero d’Avola which are harvested slightly late. The wine is then fermented using indigenous yeasts in large terracotta amphorae known as giare”. Following the fermentation process it is aged in large wooden barrels and cement tanks for at least two years after the harvest. This helps to craft a finely balanced red blend that exudes aromas of violets, dark berries, rose and black pepper. On the palate the texture is soft and smooth with fine tannins and intense black fruit flavours which linger on the tongue.
2014