Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019

Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a monumental, deeply aristocratic masterpiece that represents the absolute pinnacle of high-altitude Sangiovese from one of Montalcino's oldest and most revered noble estates. Sourced exclusively in exceptional vintages from the oldest, lowest-yielding vines planted on the historic Colle al Matrichese property, this Riserva thrives at a cool 400 meters above sea level. The vineyard is defined by a highly sought-after soil profile of pure galestro (rocky, friable schist) and limestone, which coaxes an ethereal, high-toned elegance and chiseled structure from the fruit. Andrea Costanti guides the vinification with a brilliant respect for tradition: a slow fermentation on the skins followed by an extensive, multi-year aging regimen that transitions from seasoned French oak tonneaux to large, neutral Slavonian oak casks, plus prolonged bottle aging before release. The result is a wine of profound concentration, intellectual depth, and legendary cellaring longevity.

In the glass, it displays a beautiful, translucent garnet-ruby hue with brilliant brick reflections at the rim. The nose is incredibly fragrant, sophisticated, and evolving, unleashing a mesmerizing bouquet of macerated sour cherries, dark wild plums, and dried rose petals, intricately interwoven with signature undertones of black truffles, leather, pipe tobacco, and damp forest floor. On the palate, the wine delivers a masterclass in power without weight. It is full-bodied and beautifully multi-layered, wrapping a deep, savory core of crunchy red and dark orchard fruit around an ironclad, architectural framework of exceptionally fine-grained, chalky tannins. A vibrant line of limestone-driven acidity provides stunning freshness and a distinct, graphite-like mineral drive that stretches across the tongue. It concludes with an interminable, regal finish that echoes with orange pith, dried tea leaves, and a clean, savoury grip.