Palazzo
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016
The Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is crafted from organic estate vines and made only in top vintages from the finest plots. While some producers use barriques or shorten aging to meet the 24-month mandate, Palazzo stays true to 48 months in Slavonian oak. The result is a vivid ruby wine with an ample, complex nose of balsamic, sage, rosemary, and red fruits. Full-bodied and balanced, it boasts a seductive, tannic finish.
Vineyard
Palazzo owns 4.2 hectares of organically farmed vines surrounding their winery in the southern part of Montalcino, near iconic wineries like Cerbaiona, Ciacci Piccolomini, and Uccelliera. This part of Montalcino is characterized by galestro—a rocky, nutrient-poor soil with schist, shale, and clay. The area receives plenty of sunlight, resulting in vibrant expressions of Sangiovese. The 37-year-old vineyards are also dry-farmed.
Winemaking
Long, slow, spontaneous fermentation at 82-86°F in 10 hL cement tanks with a 24-day maceration and delicate pumping over. The wine is aged 36 months in 10-20 hL Slavonian oak casks and another 12 months in 5 hL French tonneaux of medium roasting.
Tasting Note
The riserva is built to age, so if you decide to drink it soon, a decant is recommended. As it opens, it will reveal notes of sweet spice, ripe cherry fruit and vine ripened tomatoes. It will stand up to big, savory dishes.
Color
Red
Other Wines by this Producer
Rosso di Montalcino
In the great tradition of Montalcino, this is truly a “baby Brunello.” The organically farmed estate plots used for the Rosso are determined by taste every year. The wine is aged 12-15 months in large Slavonian oak casks before determining which parcels are destined for this Rosso versus Brunello. The structure is that of a younger wine: simple and fresh with hints fruit on the nose. The fruity aromas carry over to the palate, making for an elegant and delicious wine for Brunello lovers on a budget.
Brunello di Montalcino Cosimo
Cosimo is an elegant Brunello dedicated to the memory of the founder, Cosimo Loia, who strongly believed in the potential of the vineyards in Montalcino. The grapes for this wine are harvested from the first vineyard planted by Cosimo in 1985, and the wine is only made in the best years. It has notes of medicinal herbs, red roses, spices and small red ripe fruits. On the palate, this wine a powerful, elegant, and concentrated, with great minerality and acidity.
Brunello di Montalcino
The Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino is crafted from organic estate vines with a commitment to tradition. While some Montalcino producers use barriques or shorten aging to meet the 24-month mandate, Palazzo opts for over 36 months in Slavonian oak. This dedication yields a wine with intense ruby hues, garnet reflections, and a refined balance of soft tannins, savory mineral notes, and its signature artisanal character.
