Rosso di Montalcino
Call it Brunello’s little brother if you like, but Caprili doesn’t make it that way. The Rosso comes from the Testucchiaia vineyard, southwest-facing at 365 meters on limestone and silica — younger Sangiovese Grosso vines averaging fifteen years, with a good stretch of them well past twenty-five. From day one it’s built to drink young: spontaneous fermentation in steel, up to three weeks on the skins with gentle daily pump-overs, then twelve months in big Slavonian casks and a few more in bottle.
Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Type: Red, dry
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
Color: Vibrant ruby red.
Bouquet: Intense and fruit-rich with notes of earth and minerality.
Palate: A dry, warm and slightly tannic palate with pretty red-berry fruit and a pleasant bite on the finish.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Food Pairings: Pasta with red sauce, risottos, light meat dishes.
Production Area: Montalcino (Siena).
Vineyard: Testucchiaia vineyard. The average age is about 15 years old with a significant portion over 25 years old.
Elevation: 365 meters (1,200 feet) a.s.l.
Exposure: Southwest.
Training system: Spurred cordon.
Soil: Mixed limestone and silica rocks.
Yield: 2.5 tons per acre.
Harvest: Early- to-mid-October.
Vinification: Fermentation happens without the addition of external yeast, we only let the natural yeast to do their fermentation themselves. We keep the temperature between 26 and 28°C maximum and the following maceration is
of about 10 days in stainsteel tanks.
Aging: 9-12 months of aging in wooden casks, 40% barriques & tonneaux and 60% Slavonian oak casks by 19 HL.
2012 Rosso di Montalcino – 90 Points – Vinous Media (Dec 2014)
“Very dark red. Smoky, earthy nuances dominate red cherry on the nose. Then big and dense on the palate, with rich red cherry and underbrush flavors that linger nicely. Finishes creamy, with a peppery nuance and a trace of alcoholic warmth. This huge Rosso is not unlike a Brunello, so those drinkers who like their wines bigger and more structured might opt for this Rosso in 2012.” ~ Ian D'Agata
2011 Rosso di Montalcino – 88 Points – Wine Spectator (2013)
“Black cherry, leather, chocolate and spice flavors grace this red. Juicy and balanced, echoing fruit and spice on the lingering finish. Just a bit astringent.” ~B.S.
