the arrival on the international markets of the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino and 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva harvests: CastelGiocondo and Ripe al Convento by Marchesi Frescobaldi, a Tuscan winery.
Elegance and complexity tell the essence of the 2020 harvest of CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino. Varied and complex bouquet for Ripe al Convento 2019, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva by Marchesi Frescobaldi. After the long refinement that characterizes the production regulations of Brunello, both wines are available on international markets for tasting.
For centuries, the history of Tenuta CastelGiocondo , owned by the Frescobaldi family since 1989, has been intertwined with that of Montalcino and its main grape variety, Sangiovese, enriching the winemaking history of the Tuscan region with new pages.
The majestic 12th century fortress overlooks the surrounding vineyards, a prelude to a place rich in charm and history, where the ideal conditions exist for the maximum expression of Sangiovese, a great interpreter of the territory.
The vast variety of exposures and soils, galestro, clays and Pliocene sands, give CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2020 infinite nuances. A versatility of notes that evolve over time and that make you want to continually discover, savor and remember. The altitude around 300 meters above sea level, the south-west exposure to benefit from the warm afternoon sun and the well-drained and heterogeneous soils , rich in galestro, clay, calcium and Pliocene sands, give life to a Brunello di Montalcino that stands out for its personality, elegance and longevity .
And if CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino tells the story of Tenuta CastelGiocondo in all its nuances, Ripe al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, the Tenuta’s cru, is characterized by its personality and extraordinary longevity, the result of a scrupulous manual selection that begins in the vineyard and continues in the cellar with the selection of each grape. Right on the highest hills of Tenuta CastelGiocondo, where wines were already being produced in 1800, a small Sangiovese vineyard has been identified. Its altitude of 450 meters, exposure to the warm afternoon sun, the marly soils and the healthy Mediterranean winds give this Brunello reserve extreme elegance, personality and longevity.
Harvest after harvest, the two wines tell and develop the history of the Estate, always presenting new and authentic expressions of the spirit of Montalcino.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG CastelGiocondo 2020
The 2020 vintage began with rather limited rainfall in the winter months, offset by the restoration of water reserves in the last months of 2019, which made it possible to face the highest temperatures of the summer period from June to August. The beginning of flowering was recorded in the second half of May, with a then regular course favored by an ideal climate consisting of hot, dry and slightly windy days. The absence of rain even during the harvest period allowed us to complete an accurate harvest, with healthy and ripe grapes and an excellent organoleptic profile .
After manual harvesting, the grapes were subjected to careful selection. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, at a controlled temperature, with frequent pumping over especially in the early stages. The wine was then aged in wood, until it reached complete balance and harmony, to be released onto the market 5 years after the harvest following further rest in the bottle.
The 2020 harvest of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG CastelGiocondo confirms the elegance and complexity that distinguish it. In the glass it presents an intense and brilliant ruby red color, with a bouquet that opens with floral notes followed by fruity sensations that recall small red and black fruits. Tertiary and spicy hints follow, such as licorice, nutmeg, green tea leaves and coffee beans. The tannic texture is elegant and dense, the minerality envelops the palate and impresses with its harmony, accompanying a long and persistent finish .
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva Ripe al Convento 2019
The 2019 harvest saw a cold and fairly dry winter and a rainy spring during the flowering period, with a slowdown in fruit set and a natural lowering of the plants’ production load. The summer was dry and with little rainfall, but the water reserve created by the rains in May led to excellent ripening of the grapes, with cool nights ideal for the development of aromas and color. The north wind of mid-September led to a drop in temperatures and determined a cool, breezy but sunny season, particularly favorable for Sangiovese, which was able to complete its ripening by accumulating great aromatic and polyphenolic potential. The grapes arrived at the time of the harvest healthy, intact and with the right concentration .
After an initial careful selection in the vineyard during the harvest, the grapes were subjected to further scrupulous control in the cellar, with manual selection of each grape. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature with frequent pumping over especially during the early stages, to obtain a good extraction of the colouring and structural components. The subsequent period of maturation in wood allowed for excellent stability and an increase in aromatic and structural complexity. Ripe al Convento is released onto the market in the sixth year following the harvest and only after further refinement in the bottle.
Ripe al Convento 2019 expresses itself in the glass with a splendid bright ruby red color. On the nose it presents a varied and complex bouquet , which reflects the particularly propitious vintage. The incipit is floral and fruity at the same time, with notes that recall wild rose, violet, currant, blueberry and pomegranate. The spiciness is wonderful with delicate hints that intertwine with
an elegant tertiary. On the palate it is long and persistent , with a dense and well-integrated tannic texture.