Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

The Brunello di Montalcino wines are particularly renowned for their extensive aging process. According to the regulations of the appellation, these esteemed reds, produced in the town of Montalcino in southern Tuscany, must be aged for a mandatory period of 24 months in oak barrels and an additional four months in the bottle. Quite remarkable indeed! And that's just the minimum. From this baseline, there are wines that undergo even longer periods of rest, such as Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, which is aged for 48 months in barrels and a further six months in the bottle.

With these extra sixty days, Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva becomes one of the most captivating wines you'll ever taste. Protected under the D.O.C.G. Brunello Riserva designation, this wine is crafted from sangiovese, a grape indigenous to the region and traditionally used to make this type of wine. So strong is the connection that this tannic and robust grape is also referred to as brunello. On this occasion, the interpretation of these quintessential varietals comes from Podere Brizio, one of the most traditional wineries in the area, established on the prime lands of Pieve di Santa Restituta (another esteemed name). It appears that its founder, Roberto Bellini, who owned the majority of Pieve di Santa Restituta, sold his shares to Angela Gaja but not before securing the finest plots for himself. From this shrewd move was born Podere Brizio, a winery deeply rooted in tradition, which at the time was equipped with the most modern machinery and facilities.

Podere Brizio possesses its own vineyards to the south of Montalcino, planted at altitudes ranging between 300 and 350 meters. This is of paramount importance, as the altitude significantly influences the character of the sangiovese berries. In oenological terms, this is referred to as tannins, which are compounds found in the grape that transfer to the wine, imparting a more or less astringent mouthfeel. This astringency must be carefully managed in the winery, with prolonged barrel aging where the tannins can mellow and soften. Here, given that Podere Brizio has its vineyards in the warmest part of Montalcino, the sangiovese tends to be highly tannic, resulting in a robust and resilient variety that is perfect for crafting a reserve wine like Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.

The farming of Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is organic. All labor is carried out by hand and the production processes are highly respectful of the environment. Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is harvested and transported to the winery where it is immediately placed into fermentation tanks. Here, the yeast begins to work naturally, without any added nutrients, and remains active for about two weeks. After this period, Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is racked and pressed to extract the wine. From the press, Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is transferred directly into French oak barrels from Allier, where it will spend 48 months aging in barrels and an additional 12 months in the bottle.

This minimal intervention during production allows the wine to also express the terroir of Montalcino, with soils composed of sand and marl, yielding mineral-rich and well-structured wines. We assure you that the wait for Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is well worth it.