Italiano
Villa Montosoli di Pietroso: a special IGT
From a single vineyard on the Montosoli hill, an authentic Montalcino cru, Gianni Pignattai has made a stellar wine that does not qualify for a DOCG classification due to the presence of some old native varietals in the vineyard.
There are some wines that you fall in love with at first sip and Villa di Montesoli di Pietroso is one of these. The sensation is gives goes beyond taste and creates a kind of complicity between you and that wine, a bridge between you, the land and a concept of pleasure.
Villa di Montesoli di Pietroso is made by Gianni Pignattai, a very talented Montalcino producer who over the past 15 years has made a great leap in quality. The wine is classified as a Toscana IGT and not Brunello di Montalcino because, aside from Sangiovese that makes up most of it, the vineyard the grapes come from is slightly ‘contaminated’ by the presence of a few native varietals like Colorino, Mammolo, Ciliegiolo and some other minor varieties.
While we said “is” contaminated, we should actually say “was” because after the 2015 harvest the vineyard was replanted due to the age of the vines. It was totally replanted with Sangiovese and it is more than probable that it will in the future produce the estate’s new Brunello, a Montosoli cru. While this wine may even turn out to be better, who knows of it will inspire the same emotions.
During a recent and totally by chance visit to the estate, Gianni and his wife Cecilia offered us the possibility of a tasting all the vintages of this IGT wine, including the 2015 that will come out in September.
All the vintages matured in barrels for two years and the blend was always the same, 90% Sangiovese with the rest composed of local native varietals. I am greatly thankful for this opportunity.
Villa Montosoli 2010
94/100 - € 55
A ruby color that leans towards garnet but remains intact. The bouquet has slightly balsamic notes and those of blond tobacco while the fruit component – sour cherry and wild berries – has begun to fade. The lovely mouthfeel is nicely upheld by the acidity while the tannins are polished and the progression solid and elegant with a flavorful and decidedly persistent finish.
Bottles produced: some 3,000.
Villa Montosoli 2011
91/100 - € 50
A dark, garnet color and an aroma that shows it age, while remaining intriguing and pleasing with the usual balsamic note of eucalyptus and a hint of olive, while the fruit is warmer and the tobacco has shifted from blond towards brown. The mouthfeel is quite thick but the tannins are still a tad sharp, making it a bit nervous, and the finish is soft and rounded.
Bottles produced: only 600.
Villa Montosoli 2012
94/100 - € 55
A classic and bright ruby color and a clear and intense aroma still focused on fruit, both light and dark cherry and a hint of blackberry, while the background has some eucalyptus and a hint of blond tobacco. The elegant mouthfeel is still youthful with the acidity upholding the texture, which has a clear saline touch, while the tannins are a tad scratchy but lovely and the finish fresh and very persistent.
Bottles produced: around 1,500.
Villa Montosoli 2013
96/100 - € 58
An intense ruby color leaning towards garnet and an intriguing and very classic bouquet with notes of cherry, Marasca cherry and a very elegant smoky touch, followed by sensations of spice including, strangely, saffron, a novelty related to a cool year. The mouthfeel has absolute class thanks to the acidity and only a hint of the tannins which makes it progressive, juicy and, at the same time, elegant with an excellent persistence in the finish.
Bottles produced: around 1,500.
Villa Montosoli 2014
90/100 - € 55
An intense, ruby color and with the usual balsamic aroma as well as notes of medicinal herbs, scents of winter underbrush and fruit ones of blackberry. The mouthfeel is elegant and lithe, with slightly evasive tannins but an intense and flavorful finish.
Bottle produced: very few.
Villa Montosoli 2015
96/100 - € 55
A classic ruby color with hues of garnet and a lovely bouquet of Marasca and black cherry and blackberry with a slightly smoky sensation and hint of summer underbrush. The mouthfeel has a thick texture, excellent progression and volume with everything made elegant and lithe by the excellent acidity and youthful yet polished tannins.
The bottles produced of the last vintage from the old vineyard were in line with other years, around 1,500.
