Brunello di Montalcino 2021: Le Ragnaie’s Incredible New Releases

Le Ragnaie produces some of Montalcino’s most transparent, finessed and finely etched Brunellos. With around half the production coming from the highest reaches of the Brunello zone, up to 621m of elevation, they are well-placed to adapt to the warming climate and have long championed the idea that Montalcino is blessed with truly exceptional, and diverse, single vineyards across the zone.

Organic farming with a light-touch winemaking approach that favours long, gentle macerations and traditional cask ageing over more than three years, yields wines with stunning complexity and brightness. The 2021s are thrilling to taste and owner Riccardo Campinoti believes that they rank amongst the finest wines the estate has ever produced.

The classic “white label” Brunello di Montalcino (a recent bottle of 2007 was still deliciously vital and fresh) is the main wine of the project, accompanied by** three “black label” single vineyards,** where production sits at just a barrel of each wine. The four wines together amount to a truly remarkable collection. Heartily endorsed by both The Wine Advocate and Vinous Media, Monica Larner writes of the “blossoming bouquet”, “striking freshness”, and “brilliantly vertical profile” of her favourite, the** Passo di Lume Spento,** whilst Eric Guido comments on the “model of balance”, “cascade of inner florals” and “brilliant future” of his favourite cru, the Casanovina Montosoli.

A short summary on each of the wines as well as the critics’ scores can be found below.

We expect demand to be high for these wines so politely ask that orders are placed without delay. The offer closes on Tuesday 17th March.

CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL CRITICS’ SCORES

Brunello di Montalcino – A classically sculpted, elegant example that drinks well in youth and will age over fifteen years, blended primarily from mature vineyards in the subzones of Montalcino and Castelnuovo del Abate, with a dusting of Montosoli.

Passo del Lume Spento – The highest registered Brunello vineyard in the denomination, at 621m; it produces wines with a fresh herb, cool earth and pure-fruited profile, never more so than in 2021.

Le Ragnaie Vecchie Vigne – The oldest vines of the estate, located immediately around the cellar on the Le Ragnaie property, planted 1968 at around 600m elevation. It produces fragrant, bewitching Sangiovese with concentrated, small fruits and a saline profile. The emblematic single vineyard wine of the project.

Casanovina Montosoli – One of Brunello’s most prestigious registered crus, located on the northern side of Montalcino, where the vineyards are steep and windy. The soils tend to have more limestone and hard clay, with complex fossilised influences. The wine tends to display violet, dried herbs, dark cherry notes and salts, with a higher level of tannin for long ageing.