Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2015

The 2015 vintage for Brunello di Montalcino is one to figuratively ‘back up the truck’ – prices remain exceptional and quality unmatched at this price point. James Suckling considers 2015 to be in the same league ‘as the all-time greats of 1997, 2006, 2007, and 2010.’ Today’s release is Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2015, a wine James Suckling has awarded 97 points, describing it as having ‘Wonderful aromas of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length.’ This outscores the 2010, which was their finest ever preceeding the magnificent 2015. The 2010 has increased 92% since its release and trades today at £250 per case of six. We are pleased to release today at £200 per case of six, a 20% discount to the 2010, which suggests it is a very smart buy on release.

We are also very pleased to be able to offer an extremely limited amount of what Suckling has declared “the best Campo del Drago I have ever had” and awarding it 98 points. The Campo del Drago cuvee hails from the finest hectare and a half of vineyard at the highest elevation in the Capanna area. The Campo del Drago has an utterly unique personality all to its own with an exquisite level of structure and finesse that is beautifully on display in the 2015 vintage. It is available today at the price of £400 per case of six IB and considering the scarcity of any mature vintages available in the UK, we expect our cases to be snapped up quickly into the cellars of avid collectors.

Castiglion del Bosco is one of the most prominent producers in Montalcino, unchanged for 400 years and one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Brunello, which was established in 1967. In fact in 1888 Ferruccio Biondi Santi was residing at the Castiglon del Bosco estate when he isolated the Sangiovese clone and invented the denomination Brunello di Montalcino. One can understand why he resided there, the 1,800 hectare estate is famous, along with the splendid wine, for its magnificent beauty. It comes as no surprise therefore that in 2003 Massimo Ferragamo, son of Salvatore and Chairman of their North American headquarters, fell in love with the wine and estate, prompting him to buy it.

Since purchasing the estate Ferragamo has invested heavily in the vineyards and winery, culminating in the spectacular 2010 vintage. In addition to this he has turned the estate into one of Italy’s most expensive resorts, including a golf course designed by British Open champion Tom Weiskopf. Salvatore Ferragamo made his money creating one of the most expensive fashion brands in the world, conversely the wine offers some of the very best value in Brunello.

The Castiglion del Bosco grapes are selected from the Estate’s south facing Capanna vineyards, located 350 metres above sea level. The terroir is characterised by clay shale, gravel-pebble and of course ’galestro’, the famed terroir found in the best Tuscan vineyards, which provides the wine’s unique aroma, complexity and structure. The wine is vinified 100% in their cellar, which is completely gravity fed. All grapes are sorted by hand, before fermentation begins with natural yeasts.

After malolactic fermentation the wines are transferred into French oak barriques, 20% new and 80% first and second passage for 36 months. As one can see, no expense is spared and the result is an outstanding wine for £28.46 per bottle including duty and VAT.