Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Piaggione 2020

Tasting Note for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Piaggione 2020 by Salicutti

Colour & Appearance

Deep, transparent ruby red.

Nose

Powerful, generous and meaty with a pronounced umami note. Aromas of air-dried pork delicacies, black pepper and allspice meet juicy sweet cherries, mulberries and blackberries. Subtle accents of dark chocolate, sandalwood and dark olive tapenade reveal themselves in the background.

Palate

A gripping opening packed with substance and edge: tight-knit, structured tannins provide a firm, chewy texture. On the palate, black cardamom, roasted nuances, tobacco and leather combine to form a punchy overall picture. Despite its youth, it is already blessed with remarkable drive and inner poise.

Terroir & Origin

The 1.2-hectare single vineyard Piaggione sits at an altitude of 420 to 450 metres directly below the cantina. The east-southeast facing vineyard is defined by fossil- and lime-rich marlstone dating back 60 to 80 million years. Podere Salicutti is considered the first certified organic estate in Montalcino; since 2022, farming has been carried out according to biodynamic Demeter guidelines.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Single-varietal Sangiovese (Sangiovese Grosso). Sabine and Felix Eichbauer run the estate with an uncompromising commitment to quality and meticulous manual work, vinified by cellar master Gianni Fabbri.

Food Pairings

Ideal with hearty stews, braised Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild game ragout with pappardelle or aged Pecorino. Requires large glasses and air to breathe.

Key Characteristics

This Brunello embodies the famous principle of an “iron fist in a velvet glove”: it combines the pure, uncompromising clarity of the Salicutti style with the imposing structure and density of the Piaggione single vineyard.