Brunello di Montalcino Palazzo Riserva 2019

Overview

The Brunello di Montalcino Palazzo Riserva 2019 represents the estate’s pinnacle, produced only in vintages where Sangiovese achieves impeccable ripeness, structure and aromatic intensity. The 2019 harvest, celebrated for its balance and purity, gives life to a Riserva of remarkable finesse and longevity. This wine combines depth, tension and vibrant fruit, enriched by extended ageing that shapes an elegant yet powerful profile. It stands as an authentic expression of Montalcino’s terroir and a benchmark for collectors. Contains sulfites.

History of the Wine

The Riserva 2019 results from a meticulous selection led by the Loia family, who choose only the highest-quality clusters from their oldest vineyards. The vintage’s moderate temperatures and long growing season allowed grapes to mature gradually, achieving perfect phenolic balance. Production is strictly limited and reserved for years when the estate recognises exceptional natural concentration. This Riserva continues a legacy rooted in tradition, precision and respect for Montalcino’s viticultural heritage.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vineyards dedicated to the Riserva sit at 320 metres above sea level on South-East–facing slopes, characterised by poor, stony galestro soils. These conditions favour slow ripening, firm tannins and intense aromatic definition. Vineyard management follows integrated agriculture with manually controlled yields, cluster thinning and careful canopy work to maximise fruit integrity. Hand harvesting ensures that only pristine grapes enter the cellar, maintaining purity and varietal authenticity.

Cellar Approach and Variety

The wine is made from 100% Sangiovese, fermented in small concrete tanks with 18–20 days of skin contact at controlled temperatures. Ageing involves 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks (20–25 hl), followed by 12 months in 500-L French tonneaux, enhancing refinement without overshadowing the grape’s natural energy. After bottling, the Riserva rests an additional 10–12 months, developing harmony, complexity and length.

Tasting Notes

• Colour: bright, luminous ruby with subtle garnet highlights.

• Nose: refined and layered, with red cherry, pomegranate, dried rose, balsamic hints, citrus zest and delicate spice.

• Palate: vibrant and polished, showing precise tannins, lively acidity, deep fruit and a long, savoury, mineral-driven finish.

Food Pairings

Perfect with roast lamb, aged beef cuts, game birds, braised wild boar and mushroom-based dishes. Its elegance and structure also pair beautifully with truffle preparations or aged pecorino. Ideal for long contemplation or special occasions.

Technical Sheet

• Vintage: 2019

• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

• Grapes: 100% Sangiovese

• Vineyard altitude: 320 m a.s.l.

• Exposure: South-East

• Soil: rocky, arid, galestro-rich

• Vine age: 22–25 years

• Training: spur-pruned cordon

• Harvest: late September, hand-picked

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

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

• Bottle ageing: 10–12 months

• Production: approx. 2,000 bottles

• 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.