Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello Di Montalcino 2012 (1x 75cl)

Awarded 93 points and Highly Recommended status by Decanter (www.decanter.com) in their November 2017 edition review of Brunelllo di Montalcino 2012 (see blue links below).

Antinori PdV Brunello 2012 - November 2017 Decanter review

The Pian delle Vigne estate is located six kilometers (3.5 miles) to the south of the town of Montalcino above the Orcia river valley. The property consists of 184 hectares (460 acres) , 65 of which (some 160 acres) are planted to vines situated between 130 and 200 meters (440-660 feet) above sea level and with an exposure which is principally to the southeast. The soil consists prevalently of clay and limestone and is rich in small stones. It takes its name from a period-style 19th century railroad station situated within the estate’s confines.

The 2012 vintage was characterized by a balanced late autumn of 2011 and a cold winter, and a mild spring in 2012. The summer season immediately arrived with high temperatures, which assisted a regular ripening of the grape bunches. Late August, instead, was marked by lower temperatures and important temperature swings from daytime warmth to evening and nighttime coolness, factors which made a major contribution to aromatic intensity and freshness. The harvest took place in mild and dry daytime weather between the third week of September and the first week of October.

After a careful selection of the grapes both in the vineyard and in the cellar, the grapes were destemmed, and given a soft pressing; the must then went into stainless steel tanks and remained in contact with its skins for approximately three weeks at a temperature around 82° Fahrenheit (28° centigrade). The resulting wine was put through a complete malolactic fermentation and aged in 800 to 2100 gallon (30-80 hectoliter) oak casks. After two years of aging the wine was bottled in April of 2015.

The wine is ruby red in color. The nose shows fruity and floral notes together with spicy and balsamic sensation which add freshness and complexity. The palate and its supple and silky tannins are creamy in texture, the wine round and enveloping in character with an excellent and pleasurable length and persistence. Complex, generous nose with ripe aromas of cherries and raspberries, light tobacco notes and hints of coffee and cocoa powder. Multi-layered structure with a nicely rounded texture and elegant fruit leading to a very long finish.