Casanuova delle Cerbaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 750ml

Product Info

93pts Vinous Media
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a mentholated freshness, blending wild herbs with spiced blood orange and crushed raspberries. It’s softly textured with cooling acidity and crisp wild berry fruits. A bitter tinge of savory spice emerges toward the close. Sweet tannins linger, adding a pleasant punctuation as the 2019 finishes with medium length and youthfully chewy. Drinking Window 2025 - 2035 - By Eric Guido on November 2023

Terroir
Casanuova delle Cerbaie farms vineyards in the northern sector of Montalcino, including parcels on and around the highly regarded Montosoli hill. Vineyards sit between roughly 250–350 meters altitude, where consistent breezes and excellent sunlight help achieve full phenolic ripeness while preserving acidity.

The soils here are varied and classically Tuscan: a mix of clay, galestro (friable marl), calcareous rock, and stony, skeletal soils. These well-draining formations restrict vine vigor, pushing Sangiovese Grosso toward small berries, thicker skins, and naturally concentrated aromatics and tannins.

The 2019 growing season in Montalcino unfolded with steady, balanced conditions. Warm but not extreme summer temperatures allowed even ripening, while cool nights preserved acidity. Producers throughout the region describe the vintage as aligned with more traditional Brunello profiles: elegant structure, vibrant acidity, and excellent long-term aging potential.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Casanuova delle Cerbaie is a classically minded estate, vinifying its Brunello with an emphasis on purity, structure, and terroir expression.

• Grape: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
• Harvest: Manual picking, with strict sorting of bunches
• Fermentation: Stainless steel and/or conical vats, temperature-controlled, with extended maceration and regular pump-overs
• Aging: 24–30 months in large Slavonian oak casks (traditional Brunello aging), followed by bottle refinement before release

This regimen avoids overt new-oak signatures, focusing instead on clarity of fruit, savory complexity, and the long, refined tannin profile classic to northern Montalcino.

Tasting Notes

Aromatics
The nose opens with pure, vibrant Sangiovese character: sour cherry, black cherry, raspberry, and hints of dark plum. Beneath the fruit lies a deep savory layer—wild herbs, dried thyme, subtle balsamic undertones, and a whisper of dried flowers. Earth-driven notes emerge with air: underbrush, dusty clay, and a gentle mineral impression that brings lift and precision.

Palate
Medium- to medium-full bodied, with a beautifully refined structure. The acidity is vivid and bright, guiding flavors of cherry, red currant, plum skin, and wild berries across the palate. Tannins are firm yet polished, fine-grained, and persistent. A savory tension weaves through the fruit: hints of blood orange, dried herb bitterness, cedar, and faint tobacco. Everything is knit together by a mineral backbone that feels distinctly northern Montalcino—saline, earthy, and poised. The wine feels youthful but already harmonious, with depth that promises decades of evolution.

Finish
Long, dry, elegant, and vibrant. Sour cherry, dried herbs, subtle spice, and earthy minerality linger well after swallowing. The finish is both cleansing and complex, marking this as a Brunello of classical structure and excellent potential.

Food Pairing & Service

Ideal Pairings

This Brunello’s structure, acidity, and earthy depth make it especially well suited for rich, savory dishes:

• Herb-roasted or grilled lamb (rosemary, garlic, fennel seed)
• Wild boar ragu over pappardelle
• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or other charcoal-grilled cuts
• Osso buco or slowly braised beef dishes
• Porcini risotto, truffle pasta, or mushroom-focused dishes
• Aged cheeses: Pecorino Toscano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged cow’s or sheep’s milk cheeses

Serving Recommendation

• Temperature: 60–64 °F (15–18 °C)
• Glassware: Wide-bowl (Burgundy or large Bordeaux) glass
• Decanting: 45–60 minutes recommended for young bottles

Aging Potential
The 2019 vintage has the structure and acidity for 12–20 years of graceful aging. Expect evolution toward dried cherry, leather, savory herbs, forest floor, and subtle spice, while retaining its lift and elegance.