2019 Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

The 2019 Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a benchmark expression of traditional Brunello, crafted only in the finest vintages and released in very limited quantities. Sourced from prime hillside vineyards around Montalcino, this Riserva captures the tension, depth and elegance that have made Costanti one of the region’s most respected names. Expect a wine of structure and refinement, built as much for the cellar as for the table. What sets this Riserva apart is its combination of classic Sangiovese purity with remarkable concentration and finesse, the result of meticulous vineyard work and extended aging. Conti Costanti is one of the historical estates of Montalcino, with roots dating back to the 16th century and a key role in the early development of Brunello as a world-class wine. The 2019 vintage is widely regarded as outstanding in Tuscany, and this Riserva is a particularly compelling expression of that year.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva shows a deep, luminous ruby core with garnet hues forming at the rim, suggesting both youth and serious structure. Swirling reveals excellent viscosity and a sense of density without heaviness. The nose is layered and complex: wild cherry, blackcurrant and plum are wrapped in notes of dried rose petals, violet, blood orange peel, sweet tobacco and cedar. With air, more savory nuances emerge—leather, underbrush, anise, graphite and hints of balsamic and spice—underscoring the wine’s traditional, terroir-driven style. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet supremely poised, with vibrant acidity carrying ripe red and black fruits across a long, unfolding finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide a tightly-knit frame, promising significant aging potential, while flavors of sour cherry, pomegranate, licorice, espresso and subtle cocoa evolve with every sip. The finish is persistent and mineral, with a salty, almost ferrous note that’s very characteristic of top hillside Sangiovese from Montalcino. This 2019 Riserva is built for the long term. While already impressive with proper aeration, it will reward patience, developing increased complexity, softness and tertiary notes—truffle, forest floor, cigar box and dried herbs—over 15–25 years or more in a good cellar.

Production
Conti Costanti’s vineyards lie on the eastern slopes of Montalcino at significant altitude, benefiting from cooler nights, excellent sun exposure and constant breezes. The soils are predominantly galestro and alberese—crumbly marl and limestone—that naturally limit yields and lend the wine its hallmark finesse, acidity and mineral backbone. Sangiovese (Sangiovese Grosso, locally known as Brunello) is hand-harvested parcel by parcel at optimum ripeness, with strict bunch selection in both vineyard and cellar to ensure only the healthiest fruit makes it into the Riserva. Vinification is deliberately traditional: a long, temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration on the skins to extract color, aroma and fine tannins, followed by extended maturation in large Slavonian oak casks. This slow, oxidative élevage polishes the structure, preserves the purity of fruit and terroir, and yields a Brunello Riserva that is both powerful and classically elegant.

Food & Serving
This Riserva is a natural partner for rich, savory Tuscan dishes and classic meat preparations. Think bistecca alla fiorentina, roasted or grilled lamb, wild boar ragù, braised beef cheeks, game birds, truffle-infused pasta or risotto, and dishes featuring porcini mushrooms. Aged hard cheeses, especially pecorino from Tuscany, also make a superb match, highlighting the wine’s savory and nutty nuances. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the aromatics to fully unfold. For current drinking, decanting for 2–3 hours is strongly recommended to soften the tannins and open the bouquet; older bottles will need gentler, shorter decanting mainly to remove sediment.

Producer
The Costanti family has been rooted in Montalcino since at least the 16th century, making Conti Costanti one of the area’s oldest and most historically significant estates. Alongside a small handful of traditional producers, Costanti helped shape the identity of Brunello di Montalcino, championing Sangiovese and long cask aging well before the appellation became a global reference point for fine wine. Today, under the guidance of modern generations of the Costanti family, the estate continues to work its relatively small holdings with meticulous care, emphasizing low yields, careful selection and a classic style that prioritizes finesse over flash. Their Brunello and Brunello Riserva cuvées regularly earn top scores and critical acclaim, and are widely considered among the most ageworthy, authentically Montalcino expressions of Sangiovese available.

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