It is said that the Antinori family are the most important and influential wine-making family in Italy; famed for creating the vanguard of Super Tuscan wine, Tignanello. Along with Tignanello, Piero Antinori also created the great Guado al Tasso and Solaia which are found in the Chianti Classico and Bolgheri regions. There is a historic divide and rivalry between Chianti and the tightly-knit Montalcino growers’ community. As such when Piero Antinori bought the sixty hectare Brunello estate, Pian delle Vigne in 1995 he was considered an outsider. This is hardly surprising, for wherever Piero goes, a world class wine results and their Brunello di Montalcino has already created waves scoring a superb 96 points from James Suckling in 2010. It is noteworthy that Piero’s brother, Ludovico, created the great Ornellaia and Masseto and together they have recently fashioned the utterly superb Tenuta di Biserno.
The Pian delle Vigne estate is cited 3.4 miles south of Montalcino and takes its name from a 19th Century defunct railroad which runs through the property. The vineyard was selected for its superb aspect, where the altitude varies from 430 to 660 feet above sea level. The vineyards have a predominantly south-eastern exposure, while the soil is rich in calcareous matter and small stones; the Antinori family can afford to be extremely selective in vineyard selection, only the best will do. Taken together the Antinori’s wine-making savoir-faire and resources have culminated in the outstanding 2010 vintage. Pian delle Vigne offers comfortably the best value for money of any Antinori wine in the 2010 vintage, a vintage that is already recognised as one of Italy’s greatest ever. In 2010 Pian delle Vigne is only bested by Masseto and Solaia which were awarded 98 points, but cost £2,400 and £675 a six bottle case respectively. Moreover, Pian delle Vigne is superior to the 95 point scoring Ornellaia in Suckling’s opinion, which is high praise indeed.
As we said with Gaja’s Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino, Antinori’s Pian delle Vigne is a very rare opportunity to buy a 96 scoring Antinori wine for under £200 a case of six bottles. With only 12,000 cases made this will prove extremely popular throughout Europe and it will pay to secure it on release, the wine like the bottle is striking and memorable.
The Great 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage
2010 is being heralded as the greatest Brunello vintage ever; James Suckling comments, ‘the market is apparently on fire. Wine lovers are rejoicing in the incredible high quality of the vintage, and rightly so. The 2010 vintage is a new benchmark for Tuscany’s iconic wine, producing reds with wonderful intensity, structure, and energy.” Vintages like this come along once or twice a lifetime and collectors should focus on these superbly priced, critically acclaimed wines. As Suckling concludes, ‘The 2010 vintage made great wines. There is no doubt about it. This is why you have to buy some.’ To read our Brunello di Montalcino 2010 vintage report please click here.
Antinori Brunello di Montalcino Pian delle Vigne 2010 – 6×75 – £180 IB or £230.76 incl duty and VAT
James Suckling, Tasted October 2014, 96 Points
Lots of candied-orange, dark-fruit and dried-flower character on the nose. Full body with soft, silky tannins and a chewy finish. Funky and intense. Lots of smoked-meat, berry and dark-chocolate character. Very rich and delicious. Best Brunello from here in a long time. Try in 2016.
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