2019 Brunello di Montalcino

Andrea Costanti’s wines embody the southeastern hillside terroir of Montalcino, with vineyards ranging from 440 to 510 meters, large diurnal temperature swings between day and night and unique galestro soils, a mix of oceanic marls on the surface with sand and stones beneath. This, in combination with the ventilating winds that can be felt nearly any time of the day, is the perfect location to create classic Brunello of the highest order. Winemaking is minimalistic and wonderfully clean, helped by a new fermentation cellar and classic barrel aging room located below the estate. On this recent visit, I had the opportunity to retaste the 2016, a truly classic wine that is just starting to open up. It remains one of the top wines of the year. The 2019 is also something to be excited about, racy yet deeply textural with masses of dark red fruit. As is usually the case, the wines of Costanti display a youthful exuberance before shutting down for a long slumber. And don’t miss the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino (from the sandier soils at the base of the Montosoli hill) and Rosso di Montalcino Vermiglio (a barrel selection), which both excel through cellaring.