Brunello di Montalcino, Vecchie Vigne, 2011

Warming dreid fruit, sap and herb notes with hints of spice. More open than usual notes of salt to counter balance the ripe red cherry and strawberry fruit. There is a nice fine but strong structure and gentle austerity here, solid but yet refined, this grows and grows in the glass. So complex, savoury and moreish. 2011 was a warm year where alcohols rose sharply. Owner Riccardo Campinoti pointed out, though, that the danger was picking too early before the tannins were properly ripe. From a single plot called Ragnaie, next to the estate, planted in the 60s, which at 550 metres above sea level, are among the very highest vines in Montalcino. The wine is aged in the same way as the estate’s regular Brunello in large 25hl Slavonian oak barrels for 36 months. Rarely more than 3000 bottles are produced.