Cortonesi Brunello di Montalcino, La Mannella, 2018

Tasting Note: Characterised by an intense ruby red colour, on the nose, it is complex with aromas of red fruit, accompanied by spicy notes. The palate is warm, juicy and with a long finish. The Cortonesi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella is similar to the Poggiarelli in terms of brightness and fruit wealth, yet this wine is perhaps more savoury, spicy and accessible. It offers a velvety, medium to full-bodied texture with lingering tones of campfire ash and leather.

This wine can continue to age beautifully for decades, but can also be enjoyable now with some decanting.

Country: Italy Region: Tuscany Grape: Sangiovese

ABV:14.5%   Bottle Size: 75cl Sustainable Viticulture  YES 

Additional Information: A very fine 56-hectare estate is based at La Manella (with 8ha of Brunello vines in the Manella vineyard), just north of Montalcino.

Established in the 1970s by the grandfather of the current generation Tommaso Cortonesi.There is also a vineyard at Poggiarelli and the two wines used to be blended until Tommaso and his father decided in the 1990s to vinify them separately ths respecting the two very different soil compositions.

Manella is predominantly clay and limestone and lies at 280-350m above sea level, with the first Sangiovese vines planted in 1983. The wine spends three years in Slavonian oak barrels and has notes of earthy forest floor and balsamic, with ripe, dark cherry fruit and plenty of tannic structure, with great depth and purity but plenty of lively acidity.

Lots of development potential here.