Brunello di Montalcino Palazzo Riserva 2018

Overview

The Brunello di Montalcino Palazzo Riserva 2018 stands as the highest expression of the estate, produced only in vintages capable of delivering exceptional balance, depth and perfect grape ripening. This Riserva represents a deeper and more authoritative interpretation of the classic Brunello, enriched by extended ageing that shapes a long-lived and complex profile. Its layered structure, refined balsamic nuances and mineral tension embody the purest essence of Montalcino’s Sangiovese. Powerful yet elegant, it is a wine conceived for special occasions, collectors and those who seek authenticity. Contains sulfites.

History of the Wine

Riserva 2018 originates from the strictest selection carried out by the Loia family, who choose only the finest clusters from their historic vineyards. The vintage, balanced yet demanding, required precise decisions to ensure the necessary concentration. The estate produces the Riserva only when grapes reach extraordinary natural quality, capable of sustaining a long evolution in wood and bottle. It is a wine that links agricultural heritage with a contemporary precision, preserving the noble character and territorial purity of Montalcino’s Sangiovese.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vineyards selected for the Riserva lie at 320 metres above sea level with South-East exposure, on arid, rocky soils rich in galestro. These conditions grant natural minerality, aromatic clarity and slow ripening. Cultivation follows integrated agriculture, with low yields, manual canopy management and meticulous cluster selection throughout the growing season. The harvest, entirely by hand, ensures that only the healthiest and most perfectly ripe grapes become part of the Riserva, offering a flawless foundation.

Cellar Approach and Variety

Vinification is carried out in small 10-hl concrete tanks, where 100% Sangiovese macerates for 18–20 days at controlled temperatures to extract fine tannins and aromatic depth. Ageing includes 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks (20–25 hl) followed by 12 months in 500-L French tonneaux, a combination that enhances elegance without masking the varietal identity. The wine then undergoes 8–10 months of bottle ageing, completing its balance and complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Colour: bright ruby with garnet hues, luminous and intense.

• Nose: deep, complex and enveloping, offering balsamic tones, forest floor, sage, rosemary, red berries and light toasted accents.

• Palate: full-bodied, structured and persistent, balanced by acidity and minerality, with elegant tannins and a long, seductive finish.

Food Pairings

Perfect with Chianina roast meats, Florentine steak, game stews and rich pasta dishes with wild boar or venison ragù. Its depth pairs naturally with dishes of noble character and long cooking. It is also excellent as a meditation wine, ideal for slow and reflective enjoyment.

Technical Sheet

• Vintage: 2018

• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

• Grapes: 100% Sangiovese

• Production area: Montalcino

• Exposure: South-East – 320 m a.s.l.

• Soil: arid, stony, galestro-rich

• Average vine age: 22 years

• Training system: spur-pruned cordon

• Harvest: late September / early October, hand-picked

• Vinification: 18–20 days maceration in concrete, 28–30 °C

• Ageing: 30 months large oak + 12 months French tonneaux

• Bottle ageing: 8–10 months

• Production: 2,000 bottles (0.75 L) – 25 magnums

• Alcohol: awaiting your value

• Serving temperature: 18 °C

• Contains sulfites

Cantina Palazzo – History and Origins

The story of Cantina Palazzo began in 1983, when Cosimo Loia purchased the estate almost by coincidence—or perhaps through a curious twist of fate—since the property bore the same name, “Palazzo,” as his wife Antonietta’s family. This serendipitous detail initiated a family-driven vision that, by 1986, involved their children in the production of wine. The estate, anchored by an 18th-century farmhouse, was carefully restored over time, preserving the original Tuscan architectural style and becoming the beating heart of the winery. Since then, the Loia family has intertwined its identity with that of the land, transforming the property into a place where tradition and rural heritage flow naturally through a conscious and deeply rooted viticulture.

Vineyard Philosophy

The winery’s agricultural philosophy is grounded in a rigorous and responsible approach, expressed through the adoption of Integrated Farming. This method relies exclusively on organic fertilizers and treatments from biological cultivation, ensuring natural balance, biodiversity, and soil preservation. The estate’s soils, rich in calcareous galestro and native clays, provide an ideal foundation for vine growth, encouraging deep rooting and a slow, harmonious ripening of the grapes. Continuous sunlight from morning until sunset, combined with the protection of gentle sea breezes, creates a stable and beneficial microclimate. Throughout the season, strict grape selection ensures that only the finest clusters reach maturity, all of them harvested by hand to protect integrity and quality.

Winemaking Approach

The winery’s approach in the cellar mirrors the same care applied among the vines, seeking a perfect balance between innovation and tradition. All vinification spaces have been fully modernized, integrating advanced equipment that allows precise control over fermentation and maturation. Despite the technological upgrades, the goal remains constant: to enhance the natural expression of the fruit without forcing it, following each transformation stage with sensitivity and precision. The cellar becomes a space where technical expertise meets rural memory, allowing the wines to reveal authenticity, aromatic depth, and an unmistakable connection to their territory.

Estate Identity and Future Vision

Beyond wine production, the estate represents a place of identity and soul: the 18th-century farmhouse restored with care, maintaining the signature Tuscan character while integrating modern functionality. The Loia family has chosen to blend aesthetics, sustainability, and hospitality, making the property a symbol of dedication and cultural preservation. Today, Cantina Palazzo looks to the future with determination, maintaining craftsmanship and biodiversity at the core of its values. Each bottle reflects a profound harmony between nature, human work, and landscape, confirming the spirit of a winery that continues to grow without ever losing its most authentic roots.