Fonterenza Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Fonterenza Brunello 2018, Sangiovese without detours

I recommend this Brunello for the way it combines the density of the fruit with an earthy expression, without erasing the freshness of the Sangiovese. In the 2018 vintage, ripe black cherries, plum and violet meet subtle spices, then linger in a persistent finish.

A Brunello di Montalcino rooted in its plots

Fonterenza is a young estate in Montalcino, founded and run by two twin sisters who came from Milan. They planted their first vines in 1999 and farm their plots biodynamically, with a low-intervention approach in the cellar. This Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is made from Sangiovese, in the form of Sangiovese Grosso. The estate is also listed as practicing organic agriculture: a way of placing this wine within an approach that pays close attention to the vineyard, rather than reducing its character to a simple cellar technique.

The grapes come from a 1.6-hectare plot, on clay and schist soils. The vines, planted in 1999 and trained to bilateral Guyot, are spaced at a density of roughly 4,000 vines per hectare. One hectare is devoted to this Brunello, with the rest of the plot feeding another wine. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in 1,750-liter Slovenian oak foudres, with indigenous yeasts and a maximum temperature of 30 °C. Maceration on the skins lasts 30 to 90 days. The wine is then aged for 47 months in 2,000- and 2,300-liter casks, then bottled without filtration or fining. Annual production is reported at around 5,000 bottles.

Its color is described as a deep, dense ruby. The nose opens on ripe black cherries and plums, along with floral notes of violet, a touch of cinnamon and, in the wine's overall profile, hints of small black fruits and leather. On the palate, the texture is robust and structured: red fruits remain central, while a subtle earthy undertone adds depth. The tasting is both wild and fresh, with a long finish. The 2018 vintage, marked by weather conditions favorable to ripening, is presented as balanced. Here, the 47 months in wood give the wine a bold dimension without erasing the pure expression of Sangiovese.

At the table, depth without ceremony

I imagine it alongside red meat, whose flavor will match the structure and ripe fruit of the wine, or with aged cheeses, a pairing recommended for its aromatic richness. Serve it at a meal where you can take the time to follow its evolution in the glass: the notes of fruit, violet, spice and leather unfold several facets to explore. If you're looking for a Brunello di Montalcino made biodynamically and aged long in wood, Fonterenza 2018 deserves a place at your table.