Case Basse, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Soldera 1991

Case Basse Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Soldera 1991 is a benchmark wine for what Sangiovese Grosso can achieve when treated with absolute respect and minimal intervention. Crafted by the late Gianfranco Soldera under a philosophy of letting nature lead—no chemical additives, no filtration—this Brunello delivers purity, depth and a singular sense of place. From a cooler, more classical vintage, it shows a refined, mineral-driven profile that has aged with remarkable grace over more than three decades.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1991 Riserva reveals a beautifully evolved garnet core with brick-orange rim, a textbook color for mature Brunello of great pedigree. The wine is clear and luminous, with the expected signs of age but still strikingly alive. The nose is complex and layered, opening with dried sour cherries, red currant and preserved plum, followed by violets, rose petals, tobacco leaf, leather, forest floor and autumn undergrowth. As it sits in the glass, balsamic nuances, dried herbs, cedar, tea leaves and subtle spices emerge, underpinned by a distinctly mineral, almost saline impression. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied but incredibly refined, with silky, resolved tannins and a vibrant, still-present acidity that gives the wine both lift and length. Flavors of dried cherry, blood orange zest and red berry compote mingle with savory notes of truffle, cigar box, dried mushroom and iron-tinged earth. The finish is very long, elegant and mineral, tapering off slowly with echoes of spice, herbs and dried flowers. While this 1991 is fully mature and drinking beautifully now, well-stored bottles still have the capacity to evolve further over the next 5–10 years, developing even more tertiary nuance, though it should be approached as a wine at or near its peak.

Production
Case Basse’s vineyards lie in a distinctive, secluded pocket of Montalcino, framed by woods and gardens that create a unique, biodiversity-rich microclimate. The soils are composed of calcareous clay with an abundance of small stones, ensuring excellent drainage and contributing to the wine’s concentration, structure and mineral backbone. The 1991 growing season in Tuscany was cooler and relatively even, favoring finesse, aromatic detail and freshness over sheer power. In line with Soldera’s minimal-intervention philosophy, the Sangiovese Grosso was harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, carefully sorted and fermented with indigenous yeasts in large open wooden vats. Fermentation proceeded naturally, without temperature manipulation or chemical additions. Afterward, the wine spent around five years in large Slavonian oak casks, undergoing long, gentle oxidative aging that built complexity and tertiary character without masking the purity of fruit or the expression of terroir. No filtration was employed at bottling, preserving as much texture, flavor and authenticity as possible.

Food & Serving
This mature Brunello is best showcased alongside refined, savory dishes that echo its complexity. Classic pairings include roasted or braised lamb, veal shank (ossobuco), aged Tuscan pecorino, wild boar ragù, truffle dishes, game birds, and simple preparations of grilled or roasted beef with herb and mushroom accents. Earthy flavors—porcini, truffles, lentils, root vegetables—are especially complementary. Serve at 16–18 °C in large Burgundy or Brunello glasses to allow full aromatic expression. Decant gently 2–4 hours before serving to let the wine open, taking care to leave any sediment in the bottle; with older vintages such as this, a slow, careful decant is essential. Once opened, follow its evolution in the glass as it reveals layer after layer over the course of the meal.

Producer
Case Basse, founded and shaped by the visionary Gianfranco Soldera, is one of the most revered and influential estates in Montalcino—and indeed in all of Italy. From the outset, Soldera pursued an uncompromising, quality-first approach, focusing on extremely low yields, meticulous vineyard work and a deep respect for the ecosystem surrounding the vines. The estate’s gardens, forests and natural biodiversity are integral to its identity, fostering a balanced microclimate and healthy vineyards. In the Brunello di Montalcino appellation, Soldera’s wines have long been considered reference points for purity of Sangiovese, transparency of terroir and extraordinary longevity. The Riserva bottlings from Case Basse, such as this 1991, are highly sought after by collectors and critics alike, and have played a major role in establishing Montalcino’s reputation for producing some of the world’s most profound and age-worthy red wines.

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