Capanna Brunello di Montalcino 2016

A blend of equal parts Sangiovese from Castellina and Merlot from the Vigna Grande vineyard in Panzano, mainly on Galestro and Albarese. After manual harvest, the wine ferments in wooden vats and then matures for at least 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels, specially gently toasted on charcoal to limit the wood influence. This is a full-bodied, suave, creamy wine with a bright future ahead, although we already find it irresistibly delicious.

Luca Gardini: “Here is a Brunello of great personality. On the nose, small dark fruits and pepper leaf. Exceptional balsamic trace in the closing. The mouthfeel shows a magnificent crunchiness and density, salty tannins. On the finish, officinal trace returning with iodized nuances.” 100/100

RP: “I tasted the Capanna 2016 Brunello di Montalcino side by side with the estate’s 2015 Riserva and found that these two wines illustrate the vintage differences with clarity. This wine, the so-called “classic Brunello” from the slightly cooler vintage, is immediately more direct and expressive in terms of its bouquet. Aromas of cherry, earthy spice and rosemary essence are lifted and buoyant. However, the mouthfeel is surely more compact and tannic compared to the softer 2015 Riserva. What this wine lacks in texture, it delivers in terms of length and finish. It ages in Slavonian oak for 36 months and production is 42,000 bottles.” 94/100