Podere Le Ripi Lupi e Sirene Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019

Podere Le Ripi Lupi e Sirene Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 is a powerful yet finely etched expression of Sangiovese from one of Montalcino’s most characterful biodynamic estates. Crafted in tiny quantities from a high-density, bush-trained vineyard, this Riserva marries depth and structure with a striking purity of fruit. It’s a Brunello designed for the cellar, but already offers remarkable complexity in the glass.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Lupi e Sirene Riserva shows a deep, luminous garnet core with ruby reflections at the rim. The nose is intensely layered: wild cherry and ripe red plum mingle with dried rose petals, blood orange peel, and hints of forest floor, tobacco leaf, and sweet spices. With air, notes of balsamic herbs, cedar, and a subtle ferrous minerality emerge, underlining its Montalcino origin. On the palate, this is precise and vertical, with vibrant acidity and firm, finely grained tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it. Flavors of sour cherry, red currant, and pomegranate are interwoven with savory tones of leather, dried thyme, and black tea, leading into a long, energetic finish tinged with saffron and crushed stone. This Riserva is built for longevity: expect it to evolve beautifully over 15–25 years from the vintage, gaining tertiary notes of truffle, sous-bois, and dried flowers as it matures.

Production
Lupi e Sirene comes from Podere Le Ripi’s densely planted Sangiovese parcels near Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the southeastern part of Montalcino, an area known for its mix of galestro, clay, and limestone soils that yield wines of both power and finesse. The estate is certified biodynamic, and the vines—often trained in the traditional alberello (bush) style at extremely high density—are farmed by hand with meticulous care to keep yields naturally low. Harvest is carried out manually in small crates, with rigorous sorting of the bunches. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in wooden vats, allowing a long maceration to gently extract color, tannin, and aromatic complexity. The wine then ages for extended periods—typically around three years—in large Slavonian oak casks and neutral barrels, followed by further refinement in bottle before release, in line with Brunello Riserva regulations.

Food & Serving
This Brunello Riserva is a natural match for richly flavored, slow-cooked dishes: think Tuscan-style braised beef, wild boar ragù over pappardelle, roast lamb with rosemary, or aged pecorino and other hard cheeses. It also works beautifully with game birds, porcini-based dishes, and truffle-infused recipes that echo its earthy undertones. Serve at 16–18°C in large Burgundy or Bordeaux stems to allow the bouquet to open fully. Decanting for 1.5–2 hours is recommended in its youth to soften the tannins and unlock the wine’s full aromatic complexity; older bottles may benefit from a shorter, gentler decant to preserve delicate tertiary notes.

Producer
Podere Le Ripi was founded in the late 1990s by Francesco Illy (of the Illy coffee family) on the eastern side of Montalcino, with a vision to craft artisan Brunello guided by biodynamics and an almost obsessive attention to vineyard detail. Over the years, the estate has become known for its ultra high-density plantings, hand-crafted approach, and strikingly pure expressions of Sangiovese. Certified biodynamic since the 2010s, Podere Le Ripi has helped redefine what is possible in Montalcino, producing site-specific bottlings like Lupi e Sirene that showcase the nuance of individual parcels. The wines have garnered growing critical acclaim, securing the estate’s reputation as one of the most exciting and distinctive producers in the region.

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