2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, Tuscany, Italy

A black grape widely grown in Central Italy and the main component of Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as well as being the sole permitted grape for the famed Brunello di Montalcino.

Along with Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany's most famous DOCG and its boldest expression of the Sangiovese grape. Located 30 miles south of Siena, its 2,000 hectares of vines are hemmed in by the Orcia, Asso and Ombrone valleys. Brunello is the local name for the Sangiovese Grosso clone from which Brunello di Montalcino should be made in its entirety. The wine cannot be released for sale until five years after the harvest.

Located in the south east of the Montalcino region close to the beautiful medieval village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, the estate of Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona can trace its roots back to the 17th century. The Ciacci family owned the estate for over a hundred years until the death of Countess Elda Ciacci in 1985. As the Countess had no children, she left the property to her long standing and well-respected estate manager Giuseppe Bianchini. His hard work and dedication have been continued by his son and daughter, Paolo and Lucia, who have developed the property and wines to their current respected position. They have a total holding of 220 hectares of the rolling Tuscan hills bordered by the Orcia River which helps moderate the temperature of this hot and dry part of the region. 53 hectares are devoted to the wonderful Sangiovese Grosso grape which produce the Brunello di Montalcino together with small amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.