Brunello di Montalcino Pian delle Vigne Antinori 2019

Description

Antinori is the most famous name in Italian wine and the influence of Piero Antinori in the last 25 years has been nothing short of revolutionary.

The Pian Delle Vigne estate is located 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) southwest of Montalcino. Its name comes from the eponymous area where a characteristic nineteenth century railway station is located. The property consists of 460 total acres (184 hectares), 160 of which (65 hectares) are planted to vines with generally a south-western exposure at an altitude of 430 feet (130 metres) above sea level. The estate, since the very beginning, has followed a philosophy based on ageing in large casks capable of preserving the exceptional integrity and fruit of the Sangiovese grapes and endow this Brunello with a characteristic vibrant elegance. Pian delle Vigne has belonged to the Antinori family since 1995, the year of the first Brunello di Montalcino Pian delle Vigne vintage.

The first half of spring 2019 opened with higher-than-average temperatures while the second half ushered in cool, dry weather. The month of May brought repeated rain showers that slightly delayed vegetative growth but guaranteed excellent groundwater reserves in the vineyards. The summer months were hot, but the area around Pian delle Vigne was not affected by extreme heat spikes, instead the area enjoyed well-distributed rainfall and optimal temperature swings between day/night that created ideal conditions for Sangiovese berries to reach peak maturity. The grape harvest began on September 20th and was completed the first week of October.

The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a dark and brooding bouquet that mixes plum sauce with dark chocolate and espresso beans. This blends velvety textures with ripe red and black fruits all over a core of juicy acidity while maintaining a lifted and energetic feel. The 2019 finishes structured and long yet still relatively fresh. Orange-tinged blackberry and savory herbs linger. I am very impressed by the palate performance and tannin management of the 2019, yet I wish the winery would push for an equally fresh display on the nose. That said, fans of the Pian delle Vigne style will love the energy in this wine. 93 Points, Eric Guido, Vinous