2012 Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

The 2012 Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a powerful, classically styled Brunello from one of Montosoli’s most respected names. Produced only in the very best vintages, this Riserva showcases the depth, structure and longevity that have made Montalcino a benchmark for age-worthy Sangiovese. A late release (first offered in 2020), it arrives in the glass already complex, yet still full of energy for further cellaring.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2012 Riserva shows a deep, dark garnet core with brick-red reflections at the rim, hinting at its evolution and concentration. The nose is intense and layered, opening with dried red berries and sour cherry, followed by violet, rose petal, and sweet spice. With a bit of air, more savory tones emerge—dried herbs, leather, tobacco leaf and a subtle balsamic lift. On the palate, this is a robust, firmly structured Brunello with a classic, Tuscan backbone. The flavors echo the nose: cherry and plum compote, dried cranberry, and redcurrant interwoven with notes of licorice, clove, earthy underbrush and a touch of cedar from long oak aging. The tannins are fine-grained yet still impressively firm, giving the wine grip and definition, while vibrant acidity keeps everything fresh and precise. The finish is long—easily a minute or more—leaving lingering notes of dried fruit, spice and savory herbs. This Riserva has significant aging potential; well-cellared bottles should continue to evolve gracefully for another 10–15 years or more, gaining further tertiary nuances of leather, forest floor and truffle.

Production
Sourced from the historic Podere Pertimali estate in the Montosoli zone north of Montalcino, this wine comes from one of the area’s most prized terroirs for Sangiovese (Brunello). The vineyards sit on well-drained, mixed marl and limestone soils at higher altitudes, which help deliver aromatic intensity, freshness and finely etched tannins. Grapes are carefully selected by hand, with only the best parcels chosen in exceptional vintages for the Riserva. Traditional Brunello methods are followed: long maceration on the skins and a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation to extract color, aroma and structure without harshness. The wine then spends an extended period in large Slavonian oak casks—significantly longer than the normale bottling—followed by additional aging in bottle before release, allowing the components to knit together and the wine to gain its hallmark depth and complexity.

Food & Serving
This 2012 Brunello Riserva is best matched with rich, savory dishes that can stand up to its structure and intensity. Think classic Tuscan fare—bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-braised beef, osso buco, lamb shank, wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or game birds with rosemary and garlic. It also shines alongside aged pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano and truffle-based dishes. Serve at 16–18°C (about 60–65°F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux stems to let the aromas unfurl. Decanting is strongly recommended: 1–2 hours for a younger, more powerful expression, or around 45 minutes if the wine has had more time in bottle and you prefer to preserve some of its more delicate tertiary notes.

Producer
The Sassetti Livio Pertimali estate is a multigenerational family domaine that has helped define traditional Brunello di Montalcino. For over three generations, the Sassetti family has farmed their Podere Pertimali vineyards in Montosoli, one of the most esteemed crus in the appellation. Livio Sassetti has been instrumental in renewing and expanding the vineyards while carefully preserving the genetic heritage of old Sangiovese vines, ensuring continuity of character and quality. The estate is widely respected among Brunello purists for its adherence to classic methods—large cask aging, meticulous vineyard work and a focus on terroir expression—regularly earning critical acclaim for both its Brunello and Brunello Riserva bottlings and reinforcing Montosoli’s status as a reference point for the region.

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