Fonterenza Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Fonterenza was created by twin sisters from Milan, Margherita and Francesca Padovani, who planted their first vineyard near Montalcino in 1999 and farm all their plots biodynamically with minimal intervention in the cellar. This Brunello di Montalcino is a single-variety Sangiovese Grosso from a 1.6 hectare plot of clay and shale soil. The southern Tuscan climate is warm and dry, which ripens Sangiovese fully, while the clay holds water through the summer and the altitude keeps the nights cool, preserving acidity and aromatic detail. The wine is aged for an extended period in wood, as Brunello requires, where slow oxygen exchange resolves the firm tannin and builds tertiary complexity without imposing oak flavour. The colour is deep ruby with a garnet edge. The nose is intense, with ripe black cherry, plum, dried herbs, leather and a touch of earth. The palate is full bodied and structured, the tannins firm and grainy, the acidity bright and the finish long and savoury. Decant ahead and serve at around 18 degrees. It calls for roast and grilled red meat, game and aged cheese.