Capanna — Brunello di Montalcino

Capanna

A family estate on the northern slope of Montalcino, in southern Tuscany. Montalcino is Sangiovese country like Chianti, but a warmer, drier hill with its own clone and far longer legal ageing — which is what separates Brunello from everything else made from the grape.

The range

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is the estate wine, with a Riserva above it. Below and alongside sit the Sant'Antimo DOC bottlings — a Pinot Grigio and a red — plus Rosso di Montalcino and a Moscadello when the vintage allows, and the estate's own extra-virgin olive oil.

What to expect

Brunello is released five years after harvest by law, and the Riserva six — so a wine on the shelf today was picked before most of the Chianti next to it. It is firm, high in acid and tannin, and it is the one Italian red in this list that genuinely rewards cellaring rather than merely tolerating it. Sant'Antimo is the estate's everyday appellation and is priced accordingly.

Serving

Brunello at 17–18°C, decanted an hour ahead — younger vintages need it. Pinot Grigio at 9–11°C.