Brunello di Montalcino 'Lot.1', Conti Marone Cinzano, 2019

"Bright, luminous ruby red colour with a shiny core. Pithy nose of rich cherry, cold smoke, leather, reminiscent of blood orange, cinchona bark and a hint of rosemary, with fine earthy tones and cranberries on the finish. On the palate, beautifully texture, full-bodied, with creamy, fine-meshed tannins, opens heartily, spans a wide arc, lingers for a very long time."

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Lot 1 wafts up with a dramatic perfume that blends bright cherries, dried flowers, lavender and sage, all complicated by hints of rosemary. Despite its depth and power, this is wickedly fresh. Riveting acidity offsets soothing soft textures as ripe red berry fruits give way to blood orange and spice. The 2019 finishes long, potent and gently tannic with a sweet, silky blend of tart cranberry, crisp mineral tones and inner rose. This is the first vintage of Lot 1, and the potential is very high."

"Marking its inaugural release, the Conti Marone Cinzano 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Lot. 1 is a charming wine that opens to bright primary tones of summer cherry and redcurrant. Santiago Marone Cinzano tells me that careful work was executed to soften the tannins thanks to three years maturation in Allier oak botte followed by one and a half years in bottle. This resulted in what is stated as an "above 45% polymerization of the tannins." I concur that they are indeed velvety or even silky in texture; they move with glossy intensity. However, the quality of the bright fruit is what I find most attractive. Sangiovese grapes are specially selected from across the Col d'Orcia estate (resulting in just 9,944 bottles), and the configuration of the blend will probably change each year. Santiago describes it as an "itinerant blend." Especially aromatic clusters are chosen and destemmed, and maceration times are a bit shorter in order to stay within the red and purple fruit spectrum. Cap management is very delicate with pump-overs. Lot. 1 drinks beautifully straight out of the gate, but you could safely hold this bottle for the next 10 to 15 years if desired."