Ciacci Piccolomini Riserva Santa Caterina d’Oro 2019

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona is one of the established names of Montalcino, the hilltop town in southern Tuscany whose hot, dry climate and free-draining soils produce some of Italy's most structured reds. This Riserva, the Santa Caterina d'Oro, is made entirely from Sangiovese, the variety that defines Brunello, grown on the warm hillsides around the estate. The combination of altitude and a wide day-to-night temperature swing lets the grapes ripen fully while holding the acidity that gives the wine its backbone. After fermentation it spends three years in large Slavonian oak casks, a traditional vessel that allows gentle oxygen exchange and softens the grape's naturally firm tannins without adding obvious vanilla or toast. The extended ageing also develops the savoury, evolved character Brunello is known for. The wine is deep ruby moving to garnet, with a nose of ripe cherry and plum layered with leather, tobacco, dried herbs and earth. The palate is full and structured, with firm but polished tannins and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted an hour ahead, and give younger bottles time in the glass.