Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Podere Brizio is an estate just southwest of Montalcino in Tuscany, founded by Roberto Bellini on hectares he kept back when he sold his stake in Pieve di Santa Restituta. The wine is DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, made entirely from Sangiovese, the grape that defines the appellation. Montalcino's warm, dry climate and varied soils of galestro and clay give Sangiovese here more body and ripeness than in cooler Tuscan zones, while altitude keeps acidity firm. The 2019 spent 38 months in French oak followed by six months in bottle, the long maturation Brunello demands; extended oak ageing softens Sangiovese's high tannin and integrates the fruit, while the slow oxygen exchange through the barrel builds tertiary, savoury complexity. Organic farming underpins the fruit. The colour is medium garnet. The nose is opulent and intense, with ripe red and dark cherry, plum, leather, tobacco and an earthy, balsamic depth. The palate is full bodied with firm, fine tannin, bright acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18C, decanting one to two hours ahead. Good with bistecca, roast lamb or aged pecorino.