Donatella Cinelli Colombini : Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015

The finesse of an elegant and balanced Brunello Riserva with exceptional ageing potential

The estate

The Donatella Cinelli Colombini: Casato Prime Donne estate is located in Montalcino, at the heart of the Tuscany wine region and to the south of the Chianti appellation. Owned by the Donatella Cinelli Colombini family since the 16th century, the estate experienced a turning point during the last three generations, which has been passed down from mother to daughter. Since 1998, Donatella Cinelli Colombini has been carefully reestablishing its ancestral prestige. To this end, its team is entirely made up of women possessing great expertise and know-how, making the estate the first in Italy to be entirely made up of women.

The vineyard

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 is produced from the best of the estate’s Sangiovese vine plots. Each year, only one or two from the 17 hectares of vines are selected to produce the Brunello Riserva following grape tasting and a chemical analysis. Likewise, this process makes it possible for the dates of the harvests to be determined. In this way, this precise work allows for only the best grapes to be worked on, and above all grapes at the same level of ripeness.  The grapes come from a vineyard called Ardita. To preserve this precious terroir, Donatella Cinelli Colombini cultivates its vines through organic farming.

The wine

The Brunello Riserva is a wine with an absolutely extraordinary quality, one of the best red wines in the world. These wines magnify themselves through the test of time and promise an extremely long ageing, some having even been aged for centuries to offer a sublime expression. The Brunello is only produced during great vintages, when the climate allows for the creation of small bunches with perfectly ripe berries.

Winemaking and ageing

After manual harvests, the best bunches are taken to the cellar. The grapes ferment in concrete vats with a specific system for punching down which allows for vinification without a pump. After fermentation, the wine begins its maceration period with contact between the must and the grapeskins for 15 to 30 days. The wine then ages in barrels for 2 and a half to 3 years. The wine changes its receptacle during these years, beginning with 5- to 7-hectolitre barrels and ending with large 15- to 40-hectolitre barrels. Before bottling, the wine rests once again in concrete vats. Racking is carried out every year to make the Brunello clearer and brighter. To finish, the wine rounds off the development of its complex and fine character in bottles for a period of 6 months to a year.

Blend

This is a 100% Sangiovese wine.

Tasting

Colour

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 is a beautiful ruby red with garnet reflections.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is characterised by its finesse, depth and complexity. Ripe red fruits meet with spices in a sublime aromatic expression.

Palate

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 is an elegant and acidic wine with a perfect balance. This exceptional cru is fresh and upright, offering silky tannins and a formidable length.

Food and wine pairings

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 goes perfectly with prime cuts of meat and matured cheeses.

Serving and keeping

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015 is an exceptional wine which will express the finesse of its style until 2045 and even beyond. For an optimal tasting, serve at between 19 and 20°C in round wine glasses.