Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About Podere Brizio

High in the southwestern hills of Montalcino sits Podere Brizio, an estate that embraces modern, sustainable winemaking in an ancient setting.

Argentine Alejandro Bulgheroni is the visionary force behind Podere Brizio, which exists as part of his network of world-class wineries, including sibling Montalcino property, Poggio Landi, as well as serious wine-making operations in Chianti (Dievole), Bodegas Garzon in Uruguay and Alkina at Greenock in north-western Barossa.

As with his other projects, Bulgheroni’s vision for Podere Brizio is to combine quality terroir with carefully considered viticultural and winemaking techniques. In both the vineyard and the winery, the estate adopts traditional practices of Montalcino in chorus with some of the most innovative winegrowing techniques in order to amplify quality. This is accomplished in part through the use of sustainable and organic farming practices, which prioritise health of the soil and the natural lifecycle of the vines. The other key element to achieving quality is working with industry leaders who share these values; at Podere Brizio Italian oenologist Alberto Antonini is intimately involved in viticulture and winemaking style, along with celebrated Chilean ‘soil-whisperer’ Pedro Parra.

Ultimately, the results speak for themselves; the wines are concentrated and compelling, capturing the power and elegance that have come to define the wines of Montalcino.

In the Vineyard

The 33ha estate is located in the southwest of Montalcino in one of the zone’s hottest areas. 11ha are planted to vines, of which are Sangiovese Grosso predominates. Organic viticulture is practiced in the vineyard, which grows in parcels along the Brizio hilltop at an altitude of 300- 350 metres above sea level facing southwest towards the coast. The soils are a combination of marine-origin sand and loam over marl and limestone.  This terroir with its the cooling elevation and maritime influence yield wines with balance and elegant energy.

In The Winery

Winemaking is relatively uncomplicated: handpicked fruit undergoes fermentation by natives yeasts in steel and maturation in large 54hl, untoasted Allier casks. The Rosso spends 12 months in oak, followed by 3 months in bottle; the Brunello matures for 38+ months in barrel followed by at least 6 months refining in bottle.

The 2016 Vintage at Podere Brizio

From Vinous ‘2016 Brunello di Montalcino: Radiance Personified’

Let’s consider how long we’ve all been looking forward to Montalcino’s next great vintage. I’m thinking back to the release of the 2010s, walking the aisles of Benvenuto Brunello and tasting from table to table. Aromatically, the wines made your eyes roll back in your head, followed by an assault on the palate of intense and complex primary fruit, which was quickly clenched and held firm by aggressive tannins. When the reviews finally hit, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. Suddenly, every retailer in the country was pumping out email after email to feed the unquenchable thirst that consumers had for Montalcino’s next great vintage. 

However, after the dust settled, and 2011 arrived, people seemed to be satisfied. The 2011s were ripe and juicy, and consumers were happy to allow them to fill restaurant wine lists instead of their cellars. Next was 2012, just as warm as 2011, yet prettier and more balanced; but it still didn’t move the needle. Two thousand thirteen had some potential and quickened our pulses for a time, yet it wasn’t the next 2010. At this point, we all started to feel the hunger – when would Montalcino have its next great vintage? However, it was just around this time that the 2016 Rosso di Montalcinos began to arrive, giving us a peek into what producers were calling a perfect vintage. The wines were dark and effusive in how they excited the senses, full of energy yet also dense in their fruit profiles, and with structure that was unexpected from the Rosso category. Suddenly, there came a glimmer of hope; and since that time, we have all been waiting for 2016 Brunello di Montalcino.

But now the big question is: Do the 2016s live up to our expectations? Oh, yes; they certainly do.

Where in the World is Podere Brizio?

Podere Brizio is in Montalcino, Tuscany.