Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2020

Conti Costanti, at Colle a Matrichese in Montalcino, has been run since 1983 by Andrea Costanti, a geologist by training who has balanced respect for Brunello tradition with the work needed to make long-lived, complex wines. Brunello di Montalcino is pure Sangiovese, here grown on the galestro and clay soils of the Tuscan hills, where good drainage, altitude and long warm summers ripen the late grape fully while preserving its firm acidity. The wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for around 18 months, which allows slow oxygen exchange to soften the tannins while keeping a savoury, traditional character rather than overt wood spice, followed by a further year in bottle to integrate. The result is a deep garnet wine with aromas of red cherry, plum, dried Mediterranean herbs, tobacco and leather over an earthy base. The palate is structured and savoury, with high acidity, firm fine-grained tannins and a long, mineral finish that rewards ageing. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant young bottles. It suits red meat and earthy dishes.