Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JD 94] [TWI 93] [WA 92] [JS 92]

About the winery: 
Owner Sergio Marchetti belongs to an old patriarchal family of the 18th century. The family's descendants have lived and farmed on this land for generations. In the 1980s, the owner of the lands gifted Fossacolle to the family when he sold the properties. Fossacolle is four hectares of vineyards in the medieval town of Tavernelle in southern Montalcino. This area benefits from the wind of nearby Maremma which creates a perfect climate to grow and to mature grapes. Sergio and his family manage the vineyards and his son-in-law, Adriano Bambagioni, with the help of his son Stefano, carry out all the enological and commercial aspects of Fossacolle.

Notes from the Winemaker:
This wine comes from a six-acre vineyard in southern Montalcino that is meticulously cared for by the Marchetti family. The winery Fossacolle was established in 1984 and the first vintage of Brunello was 1997. A wonderful long maturing red wine, high expression of the tradition in Montalcino's wines productions.

Vinfication:
Manual harvest, fermentation and maceration in stainless steel at controlled temperature (24°-28° C) with daily pumping over and délestage; at the end of alcoholic fermentation, post-maceration period is continued bringing the temperature to 29° C; after racking, even with its fine lees, wine is transferred into oak barrels where malolactic fermentation will carry out and will undergo weekly batonnage for the next 4 months; it will age in wood for 20 months

Tasting Notes:
Intense ruby red color. On the nose it shows alluring aromas of ripe red berries and delicate spices. On the palate the full body is gratifying and persistent, with outstanding minerality. Remarkable tannins, soft and creamy in texture, confer concentration and aging potential to this wine.

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is expressive with brooding aromas of dried cherry, polished leather, shitake, and menthol. Pure, with a lovely concentration of fruit, it is medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a gorgeous arch of fresh acidity balancing it the whole way through. Through the palate, it offers notes of pure raspberry liqueur, pressed roses, blood orange, and crushed saline earth. This is a beautiful wine, with a lot of complexity and elegance. Drink 2024-2034.” (Mar 2023)

93 Points – The Wine Independent:
“The 2018 Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino has light aromas with some very sweet oak spice, cedar and juicy, black cherry fruit. There is a refreshing acidity and the tannins are firm but fine textured. It is a little narrow and less voluminous in terms of the texture and weight and it has a quite traditional feel that is very understated. It is upright, firm and attractive.” – SH (Feb 2023)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
“There is a sweet side to the Fossacolle 2018 Brunello di Montalcino with candied cherry and cinnamon stick. This is a mid-weight Brunello that opens to a dark garnet color with crimson highlights that are typical of aged Sangiovese. The bouquet is rather subdued and advanced with dried cherry, redcurrant, licorice stick, pressed rose and caramel cola. The wine's intensity is moderate, and it follows through to the palate with silky tannins and a thin, medium-long finish. Some 16,000 bottles are made.” – Monica Larner (Mar 2023)

92 Points – James Suckling:
“A juicy Brunello with aromas of dried flowers, blueberries, cherries and hazelnuts. It’s medium- to full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins and a creamy, inviting palate. Succulent fruit throughout. Drink or hold.” (Nov 2022)