Podere Le Ripi Cielo d'Ulisse Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Podere Le Ripi Cielo d'Ulisse Brunello di Montalcino 2015 is a refined expression of Sangiovese Grosso from one of Montalcino’s most thoughtful biodynamic estates. Named “Sky of Ulysses,” it captures both the openness and depth of the Tuscan landscape in a polished, age-worthy Brunello. Though it is the ‘younger sibling’ among the estate’s Brunello bottlings, it offers impressive complexity, elegance and authenticity at a particularly compelling level.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2015 Cielo d’Ulisse shows a vibrant, medium-deep ruby core with garnet highlights developing toward the rim, reflecting both its varietal typicity and a bit of bottle evolution. The nose is classic Brunello: red and black cherries, dried rose petals and blood orange peel, layered with notes of sweet tobacco, cedar, balsamic herbs, and a touch of graphite and warm earth. On the palate, the wine is precise and energetic, with juicy Sangiovese fruit framed by fine-grained, chalky tannins. Flavors of sour cherry, wild strawberry, and plum are intertwined with savory hints of leather, dried Mediterranean herbs, sandalwood, and a subtle saline-mineral edge that speaks clearly of Montalcino’s soils. The acidity is bright yet integrated, giving the wine lift and length. Drinking beautifully now with a proper decant, it still has the structure to evolve gracefully for 10–15 more years, gaining further tertiary nuances of truffle, dried flowers and spice.

Production
Podere Le Ripi farms its vineyards biodynamically on the eastern side of Montalcino, where the combination of altitude, cooling breezes and poor, schist- and clay-based soils yields Sangiovese with notable tension and aromatic purity. The Cielo d’Ulisse parcels are densely planted and hand-harvested, with careful selection of bunches in the vineyard and again in the cellar to ensure only perfectly ripe Sangiovese Grosso is used. Fermentation typically takes place with indigenous yeasts in large wooden vats or concrete, allowing for a gentle, extended maceration to extract fine tannins rather than harsh grip. The wine is then aged in large Slavonian or neutral oak casks for several years, followed by additional bottle aging, in keeping with Brunello di Montalcino regulations and the estate’s preference for an authentic, terroir-driven style that emphasizes finesse over overt oak.

Food & Serving
This Brunello is a natural partner for classic Tuscan dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-braised beef or wild boar ragù over pappardelle, as well as roasted lamb, game birds, and aged Pecorino Toscano. Its vibrant acidity and savory complexity also work beautifully with mushroom risotto, truffle dishes and herb-roasted root vegetables. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Brunello glasses to allow the aromas to unfold. Decant for 1–2 hours if drinking now to soften the tannins and open the bouquet, especially given the concentration and structure of the 2015 vintage.

Producer
Podere Le Ripi was founded by Francesco Illy (of the Illy coffee family) in the 1990s on the wild, largely untouched slopes of eastern Montalcino. From the outset, the estate has embraced biodynamic farming and a holistic approach to vineyard health, quickly earning a reputation for precise, soulful expressions of Sangiovese. Today, Podere Le Ripi is regarded as one of the most exciting modern voices in Brunello, helping to showcase the diversity of Montalcino’s terroirs through meticulously farmed single-vineyard wines and thoughtful, minimal-intervention winemaking. Their commitment to density of planting, low yields and careful élevage has resulted in numerous critical accolades and growing international recognition, placing them firmly among the leading contemporary producers of the region.

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