2001 Brunello di Montalcino

Fabian Schwarz, current owner and winemaker at La Magia, represents part of the younger generation to breathe new life into the Montalcino territory. In 2001, as it remains today, the Brunello Annata and Riserva hailed from the same vineyard. It is located in the south of Montalcino, a contiguous parcel of fifteen hectares, positioned at 400-450 meters above sea level, with soils composed of sandstone, limestone and clay. This is a well-sheltered and ventilated location with vines exceeding forty years of age, aided by the cooling influences of the surrounding forests and drying winds blowing up from the sea. The vines are now farmed through organic and biodynamic principles. The Riserva is a selection of the best fruit which undergoes a long maceration of up to forty-five days, with fermentation in wood vats followed by thirty-six months in new 500-litre tonneaux. As for the Annata, maceration and fermentation is similar yet completed in stainless steel tank. The wine is also matured for thirty-six months in tonneaux, but only 30% new. I find the wines of La Magia to be focused on fruit but with a certain feminine quality and light touch of oak influence that makes them quite appealing in their youth.