It is difficult to explain the Montalcino’s luck in 2015, a year that will be remembered, by all the neighbouring areas, for the climatic excesses. In Buonconvento on August 24th the Arbia stream flooded the whole village, in Torrita hails stones the size of oranges burst through the roofs. In the Brunello region no problems at all, as if the Sangiovese variety had become San Giovese to protect the vineyards. In fact shortly before the harvest when the consultant wine maker Valérie Lavigne came to organize the grape picking and brought with her the Director of the Bordeaux University Denis Dubourdieu, wine maker and professor of international fame. He described the vineyards at Casato Prime Donne with just one word “Impeccable” . The 2015 vintage was characterized by a hiccupping tendency. After the budding the vegetative cycle of the vines was faster than usual to then suddenly stop in July (the hottest in the last 200 years). Both in August and September the temperature range between day and night, and the storms, favoured an excellent synthesis of the perfumes in the grapes creating a note that makes this Brunello vintage stand out.

RATINGS

• 95 Wine Advocate – Robert Parker
• 94 Vinous – Antonio Galloni
• 93 James Suckling