2018 Conti Costanti, Brunello Montalcino, 6x750ml

Critics Score: 99

Publication: Kerin O'Keefe

2018 was a challenging vintage. Heavy rains in the spring caused some problems with flowering and fruit set and more rain in the summer created humid conditions in the Montalcino vineyards and the canopies needed to be carefully managed to reduce the risk of disease. Harvest took place in the last week of September and the grapes that were harvested were of great quality, with concentrated fruit flavours balanced by a vibrant acidity.

The Costanti family has owned this 10 hectare estate for over 200 years. Andrea Costanti inherited it from his uncle in the mid-1980s, and has worked hard to take it to its current positon as one of the very best in Montalcino. The style is characterised by a striking elegance and intensity, combining the power of Montalcino with the elegance that comes from vineyards situated at a high altitude in the northern part of the zone. The vineyards are planted over 400 metres above sea level, on galestro soil that is typical of the area. This friable rock soil is also found in Chianti Classico, and is particularly suited to the production of good Sangiovese.

The vineyards are planted on galestro soil at altitudes of between 310-450 metres above sea level. The Sangiovese vines are between 6 and 25 years old.

Fermentation took place on skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for two weeks. The wine was aged in wood for 36 months in total, 12 months in medium toasted Allier tonneaux (5 hectolitres) followed by 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels (30 hectolitres). After bottling, the wine remained in bottle for a further 12 months before release.