SanCarlo, a small family reality

With her father Giancarlo, Gemma Marcucci is carrying on the work of her grandparents Fulvio and Renata in Tavernelle di Montalcino.

I resume my fil rouge on Montalcino looking at another side of the appellation. I am happy to write about SanCarlo, an estate the Marcucci family acquired in 1965, because it was one of first estates I visited there towards the end of the 1980s, when it was run by Fulvio and Renata. The convivial atmosphere, the lack of a superstructure on the part of the couple then, as with their son Giancarlo later and now their granddaughter Gemma (the third generation having taken over in 2006) put this journalists and wine lover at ease thanks also to the beauty of Montalcino and a spontaneity that over the years has waned elsewhere. Old Fulvio, who everyone knew as the Maghino (Little Wizard) passed away last April but his family continues to carry on his work, cultivating the land and personally handling all stages that lead to the production of their wine.

The estate is in the upper part of Tavernelle, on the southwester side of Montalcino, where the soil is quite sandy but has areas where the ground is compact and has nice gravel. This allows for the production of elegant wines with a sedate texture that are exalted in warm years like 2015, which is the vintage that now on the market in Montalcino. The estate has around three hectares of vineyards and they also produce olive oil. The winery is small yet functional and they use 25hl Slavonian oak barrels to obtain a classic and solid style. Their first Brunello was produced in the 1970s. They welcome visitors by reservation, a maximum of 15 people at a time.

Brunello di Montalcino 2015 

94/100 - € 35

Made from Sangiovese grapes and matured for some 36 months in 36hl Slavonian oak barrels. The classic ruby color has slightly garnet hues and the intense and complex aroma has notes of red fruit based on cherry and marasca cherry along with some ample and intriguing spice sensations and hints of underbrush. The tight mouthfeel is excellent, juicy yet balanced thanks to the classic fresh that distinguishes the estate. The finish is broad and flavorful, very persistent.

Rosso di Montalcino 2017 

90/100 - € 13

Made from Sangiovese and matured first in stainless steel for 12 months and then for at least another six months in 25hl barrels. An intense, ruby color and an intriguing bouquet of medicinal herbs, blackberry and hints of bark and marasca cherry. The flavor is nicely assorted with lively tannins that uphold the still youthful mouthfeel, while the juicy finish has a nice persistence.

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