Conti Marone Cinzano Brunello di Montalcino Lot. 1 2019 750ml

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.