Cerbaia Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Cerbaia is a tiny estate, just 12 acres. The vines were planted in the ’70s on northeast facing parcels, rooted in the famous Montosoli calcareous soil. Elena Pellagrini’s time at the estate just started in 2013. Her dad farmed the vines and made the wine for the 35 years prior but Elena is determined to raise the bar her father set. She told me that the farming hasn’t really changed at all; they’ve always worked without chemicals. But the yield is lower and the winemaking, while traditional in technique, is spotlessly clean with modern equipment.

2019 will be the next classic in a line of great Montalcino vintages, with the power and fruit of 2007 or 15 with the structure and aromatic complexity of 2010 or 16. Cerbaia’s Rosso ‘19 is expressive and elegant with the lifted aromatic profile only possible when sourced from high elevation vineyards rooted in mineral soil. In the mouth, it shows juicy, bright red berries with savory elements of sage, sweet tobacco and anise. An almost perfect vintage makes this Rosso hard to resist in its youth, but it has the bones to mature gracefully in a proper cellar for 5-7 years.