Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

The Fuligni viscounts came from an ancient Venetian family of leaders and generals who moved to Tuscany around 1770. The Montalcino estate was founded in 1923 and the present owner is the exquisite Maria Flora Fuligni, who works side by side with nephew Roberto Guerrini Fuligni, enologist Paolo Vagaggini and agronomist Federico Ricci, who is in charge of vineyard management. The property covers roughly 100 hectares (247 acres) east of Montalcino, the historic home to the most classic-style Brunellos. They have almost 25 acres (10 hectares) under vine, principally located at I Cottimelli (which lends its name to “Vigneti dei Cottimelli”), where the vineyards are located. The winery grows mostly Sangiovese for its excellent Montalcino wines, and just a bit of Merlot. Exposure for the vineyards is southeast and east facing, and the soils feature Tuscany’s typical galestro as well as clay and tuff. Each vineyard is vinified separately and the wines are classically inspired yet internationally appealing, featuring a strong backbone of acidity and smooth, polished tannins. Fuligni offers a complete range of Montalcino offerings, including Rosso, Brunello, and Super Tuscans, consistently rated among the top wines of the area.

The winery itself has been totally renovated and aging takes place in a restored convent, which was transformed into barrel cellar, tasting rooms and guest quarters. The former convent’s cool, cloistered tranquility provides ideal conditions for élevage.

Fugligni’s Brunello di Montalcino is a classic interpretation of the time-honored classic, made from pure Sangiovese grapes, grown exclusively in Montalcino in estate-owned vineyards. The vines are close to thirty years old, with excellent exposure and stony tuffaceous soil dating back to the Eocene epoch. This Brunello ages forty-eight months in total, including at least thirty in oak. The wine features a vast aromatic profile, a succulent palate and structured tannins. A lovely wine to age or drink now.