CORTONESI Montalcino

 Single 6+
2021 LEONUS IGT Toscana £17.95 £16.95
Lustrous crimson. Pure, inviting nose of cherry and blackberry. Succulent and with a creamy note and crunchy tannins. Uncomplicated and fresh. Cortonesi himself says you can easily drink this a little chilled. jancisrobinson.com
2022 ROSSO DI MONTALCINO DOC £23.95 £21.95
2018 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG La Mannella £49.95 £46.45
Lustrous mid to deep ruby. Firm, concentrated nose with dark spice. Rich cherry fruit with a charming oak note and plenty of grainy tannins. Very long and deep, drink 2024 to 2034. Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
2016 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO La Mannella Riserva £92.95 £86.95
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Sweet, but not really open on the nose and with a hint of cinnamon bark. Mouth-filling and at the same time pure on the palate. Very intense and long with lots of juice and a rich layer of polished tannins on the finish. This estate is going from strength to strength. Drink 2024 to 2036, Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
 

This 56 hectare estate was bought by Tommaso Cortonesi’s grandfather in the 1970s. It comprises two distinct terroirs; La Mannella to the north of the town lies on clay and limestone at 280-350m, whilst La Poggiarelli is on rocky, marl-rich soil at 420m to the south-east. The vines were planted between 1983 and 1988, and the wine was originally blended into a single bottling. However the distinctions between the two plots were apparent from early on, and the wines are now raised and bottled separately. Befitting its higher altitude, Poggiarelli is slightly leaner and more reserved, but both are deep coloured, silky, vibrant and pure. Some 25,000 bottles of La Mannella are produced to 4000 of Poggiarelli. The family also produce a stunning Riserva from La Mannella in exceptional vintages, of which 2016 must count as one of the greatest. The Rosso di Montalcino comes from wines planted in 2011, and is dark, succulent and lovely.