Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Nastagio 2018

Wine Description for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Nastagio 2018 by Col d’Orcia

Colour & Appearance

Luminous ruby red with pomegranate reflections, which indicate the ripeness of the vintage – a classic picture for Sangiovese from a warm year.

Nose

Expressive and multi-layered: ripe forest berries, dried wild strawberries and cherries meld with floral notes of roses and violets. Beneath lie mineralic hints of stone and earth, plus camphor, frankincense, a whisper of ink and tar. The bouquet is completed by crème de cassis and fresh mint – an aromatic profile that unites ripeness and elegance.

Palate

Impressive structure with dense, juicy texture. The wine displays power and fullness without sacrificing precision. The 15% alcohol is perceptible, but perfectly integrated into the juicy fruit. Fine-grained tannins structure the body, whilst spicy notes of liquorice and anise play with subtle smoke and toast notes. A savoury undertone provides tension and freshness – remarkable for a wine from this warm vintage.

Finish

Long, spicy and persistent with lingering fruit and spice notes. The fine tannins carry far and leave an elegant, slightly smoky aftertaste.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Vigna Nastagio lies on a former river terrace of the Orcia basin at 220 metres elevation with south-west exposure. The Pliocene clay soil is exceptionally calcareous (40% clay, pH 8.2) and lends the wine its mineralic precision. The 2018 vintage benefited from balanced rainfall and a warm, though not extreme, summer.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Sangiovese from strict hand selection in collaboration with the University of Florence, planted 2006. Maceration 18-20 days at below 25°C, maturation in the first year in French tonneaux, subsequently in large botti, plus at least 12 months bottle age.

Food Pairing Suggestions

With Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, Pici all’Aglione, aged Pecorino or braised beef roast. The power and spice of the wine harmonises perfectly with hearty Tuscan cuisine.

Special Features

An early-drinking Brunello that is already accessible now, yet certainly possesses ageing potential. The meticulous vineyard work and calcareous soils lend this powerful vintage unexpected freshness and elegance.