2017 Brunello di Montalcino, Peligri, Siro Pacenti

The first two hectares – the Piancornello vineyard – were planted in 1967 by Siro Pacenti. Management of the estate passed to his son Giancarlo in 1988 and he expanded the vineyard area in the 1990s and it now stands at 24 hectares. Under his leadership, this estate has risen to the pinnacle of Brunello, made in the modern style with plenty of flesh and power. The vineyards are located around the winery in the cooler Montosoli region to the northeast of Montalcino supplemented by nine hectares of old vines in Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the warmer south. This allows for blending in difficult years, although the Riserva (when released) comes exclusively from the Piancornello vineyard at the winery. All the parcels are vinified separately in a new gravity flow winery, with final blends made the following spring. The Rosso is aged in one year old French oak barrique, whilst the Brunellos are aged in mostly two year old wood. Four wines are potentially made, depending on the vintage, a Rosso and three Brunellos, all of which are highly sought after.

Hand harvested, de-stemmed, hand sorted and then transferred to stainless steel tank for fermentation at around 28C. Matured in french oak barrique for 24 months before bottling unfiltered.

Deep and powerful with plentiful black fruits and cedary oak notes. The tannins are full and fine.

Steak Fiorentina. Duck breast with Tuscan beans.