La Serena Brunello di Montalcino 2019 DOCG
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 97] [WS 95] [VM 93] [DM 93]

Notes from the Winemaker
The La Serena estate has belonged to the Mantengoli family since the 1930s, but they did not start making wine until 1988, when twin brothers Andrea & Marcello entered the family business. What began as a one-hectare farm has since grown into nine hectares, with about six of those under vine, dedicated exclusively to Sangiovese for Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino. Andrea has always worked the vineyards in an organic way, but since the 2013 vintage his wines are now officially certified as "Made With Organic Grapes"on the label.

The estate is directly east of Montalcino in an area that has always produced highly acclaimed Brunello. Andrea's neightbors include Cerbaiona, Casanova di Neri and even Biondi Santi's Il Greppo estate. The estate is at 400 meters above sea level, and the soil here is similar to the Pertimali/Montosoli Cru areas, but is slightly less compact, providing wines with structure but perhaps more approachability in their youth than their neighbors.

Tasting Notes:
Ruby red color. Etheral, deep, balanced nose with a wide, persistent bouquet and fine touches of fruit and spices. Elegant, soft taste round and velvety to the palate.

Technical Information

• Certified Organic since 2013
• 100% Sangiovese from the La Serena estate harvested during the first two weeks of October
• Vineyards located at 400 meters planted to soils of clay, sand and marl
• Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel before wine moves into cask
• Aged for three years in a combination of 20, 30, 40 and 70 hectoliter French oak casks, plus four months in bottle

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - James Suckling:
"Aromas of bark, dark cherries and flowers, too. It’s medium- to full-bodied with purity of fruit that runs the length of the wine. It goes on for minutes. Very fine tannins. From organically grown grapes. Needs three or four years to completely come together, but gorgeous. Drink after 2026." (Sep 2023)

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"There's a fruity side to this red as well as a spicy side, with cherry, strawberry and black pepper flavors throughout. Floral, iron and underbrush accents add depth, yet it's the beam of pure cherry that prevails. Shows prodigious length on the finish. Best from 2027 through 2043. 4,000 cases made, 1,800 cases imported." - Bruce Sanderson (jun 2024)

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is darkly alluring, with an earthy blend of crushed rocks and flowery underbrush, giving way to steeped plums and violet florals. This sweeps across the palate with juicy textures as exotic spices and crisp red fruits slowly saturate. The 2019 finishes long and staining, with crunchy tannins that frame the experience well without slowly its momentum as an air of lavender fades over a staining of black licorice." - Eric Guido (Dec 2023)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"An under-the-radar estate, La Serena is located directly east of the town of Montalcino. The organically cultivated vineyards sit at 400 metres on calcareous-rich clay with a southeastern exposition. The classy 2019 wafts with fragrant balsam wood, pressed rose and allspice. Fully packed and energetic, the palate shows impressive purity of spicy dark cherry with pleasantly puckering acidity. Chalky textured tannins are on the right side of extraction, building in power as they coat the mouth. This needs some time to temper." - Michaela Morris (Nov 2023)