Our tasting impressions
An outstanding, though unexpected Brunello. The nose offers limitless, red fruit that is so fresh, lively and provocative. It has good body but it rests on the palate almost weightlessly. There are definitely tannins, but they are incredibly fine and well-mannered - and not as drying as one expects from fine, young Brunello. It has amazing energy and the crunchy red fruit is intensely complex. What a pleasure to have a great Brunello that is so enjoyable at this stage. Will it live as long as other recent top vintages that have more intense tannins and beefier structure, who knows? Certainly there is ample acidity and fruit to sustain it...and if even more complexity develops, it will be mind-blowing!
About this wine
100% Sangiovese from vines ranging in age from 25-43 years (with some younger vines also) in the area known as
Canalicchio di Sotto at 300 meters facing northeast. The vines are low-density and trained in bilateral cordons. The soil is a mix of clay and volcanic rock.
The vineyards, which previously belonged to the famous estate of Biondi Santi, are north of Montalcino, where the climate tends to be cooler. Brunello from this area tend to be lighter colored, less fruit-forward and livelier.
Silvia's winemaking is very traditional. Grapes, harvested in late September, are de-stemmed. Fermentation with select yeasts in large stainless steel tanks takes 2 weeks with the cap punched down. Malolactic fermentation occurs while still in the tanks.
The wine is then transferred to Botti (225-liter Slavonian oak barrels) at the start of the new year. The barrels are neutral with medium toast. Aging is for two and a half years in barrel and in bottle until 5 years after the vintage. About 9,000 bottles are produced each year.
About the grape
Sangiovese is the most planted grape in Italy and is the dominant grape throughout the central part of the country. There are many variants and even different names like Prugnolo Gentile, Brunello, Sangioveto and Morellino.
The grapes are dark and thick-skinned, slow-ripening, acidic and tannic. Like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese is heavily influenced by its terroir and similarly can be quite transparent in its differences from place to place.
About the vintage
2019 is a vintage that defies all the odds. With so much extreme weather and with high heat being the prevailing norm, how to explain this truly classical vintage? There were so many well-balanced wines produced. Winemakers who did not succeed in 2019 should retire or sell. The vintage provided a brilliant showcase for the charm and beauty Sangiovese can provide. The growing season was ideal - adequate rainfall in the spring, moderate summer temperatures and appropriate fall day/night temperature fluctuations. In short, the vines and the grapes got everything they wanted...when they wanted it.
On your table
Veal scallopini with mushrooms, or more elegantly, pheasant in a sour cheery sauce.
Azienda Canalicchio di Sotto di Lambardi is a small but historical estate. The Lambardi family produced their first Brunello in 1973, but vines have existed on the property since 1835. The family was instrumental in founding the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium.
The tiny production (just 9,000 bottles each of Brunello and Rosso, respectively) is a team effort. Owner Maurizio Lambardi manages the 6.5 hectares of vineyards, which are ideally situated on the northeastern slope. Most of the vines were planted between 1980 and 1997. They harvest later than most, allowing the grapes to reach optimal maturity and ripeness.
Talented Silvia Cennini has been the winemaker for 15 years and has helped to usher in a golden era for these very traditional wines. The potential and pedigree always was there, but recently, she has achieved a consistency of quality while allowing the nuances of each vintage to be expressed.
These are the essence of Brunellio!
