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Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Sangiovese from Tuscany, Montalcino, Italy

$260

$250ea in any 3+
$240ea in any 6+
Closure: Cork
It just invites you in! This is what wine is about!

Description

There’s a sensuality to Costanti’s 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s something about the way it draws you in and warms the soul. Its bouquet straddles both the light and dark sides of Sangiovese, rising up with alluring flowery perfumes, cedar dust and crushed cherry, yet then swaying toward rich brown spices and clove. The textures are velvety-smooth and elegant, ushering in a dense core of fleshy red berry fruits, which leave a coating of crystalline minerals and fine tannins in their wake. Though structured and aching for a stay in the cellar, you can’t help but pour another glass of this simply spellbinding Brunello. While in need of three to five years in the cellar for optimal enjoyment, the 2016 is absolutely worth checking in on today.

Eric Guido, Vinous

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Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About Costanti

Established: 1555
Owner: Andrea Costanti
Winemakers: Andrea Costanti
Production: 60,000 bottles
Hectares under vine: 10
Viticulture: Conventional

According to the history books, the Costanti family has been producing wine in Montalcino since the 16th century. The current Costanti, Andrea – former President of the Brunello consorzio, multi Wine Spectator Grand Award Winner and scuba diver – assumed control in 1983 from his uncle Count Emilio. He was freshly graduated from Siena University with a geology degree and, while some may have thought Emilio a hard act to follow, Andrea set to the task with a will and a determination that has seen the winery upgraded and, in conjunction with consultant oenologist Vittorio Fiore, the family’s reputation for great Brunello enhanced.

The wines have the unmistakable imprint of the Matrichese cru, yielding Brunello of unparalleled elegance and complexity, with luscious focussed berry fruit, remarkable structure and above all, exquisite balance. The vines’ altitude (310-440 metres) is conducive to ideal ventilation and the warm days and cool nights result in wonderfully fragrant Brunellos. Unfortunately for wine lovers, there are only 10 hectares under vine and availability is subject to fierce demand from both sides of the Atlantic, hence the minuscule quantities.

“These handmade, artisan wines remain some of the most individualistic terroir-driven wines in Montalcino. I cant recommend them highly enough. Andrea Costanti is at the top of his game, its as simple as that.” Antonio Galloni.

Vintage 2017

From Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

This balance was difficult to achieve in 2017, mainly because high temperatures concentrated sugars in the fruit, thus causing alcohol to rise. Although I must say that experienced vintners worked hard to achieve elegance, and the results are impressive, despite the many challenges. (I have included a list below of some of the most successful, under-the-radar efforts from 2017.)
“Hot vintages are definitely complicated, and they make us work harder, but we try to interpret each season on its own merits,” says Francesco Ripaccioli of Canalicchio di Sopra. “Alcohol is balanced by good acidity, and this helps us achieve harmony. If the acidity is high, it can support a high alcohol.”
“Acidity is the backbone of a great wine, and I would forfeit a bit of structure in order to achieve a wine that shows greater length, depth and vertical lift. It’s up to us to maintain good acidity even in the hot years.”
“I can’t hide that the issue of alcohol has been a challenge for all us, but we are finding ways to manage it,” he says.
Giacomo Neri of Casanova di Neri says that if the conditions seen in 2017 had actually unfolded 20 years ago, the quality of the wines would be inferior.
“Two decades of experience with many hot vintages have taught us to better manage our work in the vineyards and in the winery. For example, during fermentation and maceration, we do punch-downs instead of pump-overs, and we use oak with more care. Older vines with deeper root systems are able to better withstand climate change,” he says.

Where in the World is Conti-Costanti?

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99 Points

This savory stunner has enticing scents of violet, rose and wild berry that gain complexity alongside notes of leather, camphor and sandalwood. The elegantly structured palate is all about precision, featuring juicy cherry, blood orange, star anise and tobacco framed in taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized. Drink 2024–2046.

Kerin O'Keefe

96 Points

There’s a sensuality to Costanti's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s something about the way it draws you in and warms the soul. Its bouquet straddles both the light and dark sides of Sangiovese, rising up with alluring flowery perfumes, cedar dust and crushed cherry, yet then swaying toward rich brown spices and clove. The textures are velvety-smooth and elegant, ushering in a dense core of fleshy red berry fruits, which leave a coating of crystalline minerals and fine tannins in their wake. Though structured and aching for a stay in the cellar, you can’t help but pour another glass of this simply spellbinding Brunello. While in need of three to five years in the cellar for optimal enjoyment, the 2016 is absolutely worth checking in on today.

Eric Guido, Vinous

93 Points

The Conti Costanti 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is nicely layered and concentrated, with an immediate delivery of black fruit, spice and potting soil. This vintage shows a savory personality more than it shows a sweet one, and the tannins are quite soft and velvety. This is an open-knit Brunello from a hot and dry vintage to drink in the medium-term.

Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

Where in the world does the magic happen?

Azienda Agraria Costanti, Montalcino Province of Siena, Italy

Montalcino
Tuscany
Italy

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