Terralsole Brunello Montalcino Riserva 2016

Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 is a poised, deeply expressive Sangiovese that captures the sun-soaked slopes of southern Montalcino in a single glass. Crafted only in top vintages and aged longer than the estate’s classic Brunello, this Riserva is built for both contemplation and long-term cellaring. It brings together Terralsole’s artistic sensibility and rigorous organic vineyard work in a wine of remarkable depth, harmony, and finesse.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Riserva shows a luminous, deep garnet core with brick-tinged reflections at the rim, hinting at its evolution and complexity. The nose is intense and layered: wild cherry, dried rose petals, and macerated red berries are woven with notes of sweet tobacco, leather, balsamic herbs, and a subtle undercurrent of cedar, spice, and earth. With air, more nuanced aromas emerge—dried orange peel, black tea, and a touch of cocoa. On the palate, this Brunello Riserva is both powerful and refined, with finely etched tannins and a vibrant, lingering acidity that gives the wine a lifted, almost aerial quality. Flavors of sour cherry, plum, and cranberry are framed by savory notes of forest floor, dried thyme, and hints of licorice and spice from extended aging. The structure is firm yet polished, suggesting a long life ahead; the finish is long, dry, and mouthcoating, leaving impressions of red fruit, spice, and mineral tension. From the excellent 2016 vintage, this Riserva has serious aging potential—easily 15–20 years from vintage, gaining tertiary notes of truffle, tobacco, and leather with time in the cellar.

Production
Terralsole’s vineyards lie on the southeastern slopes of Montalcino, an area favored by abundant sunshine, cooling breezes, and significant day–night temperature swings that help Sangiovese ripen slowly and evenly. The soils—rich in marl, limestone, and galestro (friable schist)—contribute both aromatic lift and a firm mineral backbone to the wines. The estate farms sustainably and has transitioned to fully organic practices, using natural cover crops and organic fertilizers to maintain soil health and biodiversity. Grapes for the Brunello Riserva are harvested by hand, with strict bunch selection in the vineyard and again in the cellar to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy Sangiovese is used. Vinification typically involves a long, temperature-controlled fermentation on the skins to extract color, tannin, and aromatic complexity, followed by extended aging in carefully chosen oak (often large format and/or neutral barrels) to respect the purity of the fruit while adding subtle structure and spice. The Riserva designation means longer maturation in both wood and bottle before release, yielding a more profound, layered expression of Terralsole’s terroir.

Food & Serving
This is a classic, structured Brunello Riserva that shines beside rich, savory dishes. Think bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-braised beef short ribs, wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic. Mature hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Pecorino Toscano, or Grana Padano also make superb partners, as do earthy mushroom dishes and truffle-infused recipes. Serve at 18 °C (around 64–65 °F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the aromatics to expand. Decanting is strongly recommended—at least 1–2 hours for a young bottle from the 2016 vintage—to soften the tannins and reveal the full spectrum of complexity; older bottles will benefit from a gentler, shorter decant to remove sediment while preserving delicate tertiary notes.

Producer
Founded in 1996, Terralsole—literally “land toward the sun”—is the personal project of winemaker and artist Mario Bollag and his wife, musician Athena Tergis. From the outset, Terralsole has sought to marry fine wine craftsmanship with artistic expression, a philosophy that shows not only in the character of the wines but also in the distinctive labels that adorn each bottle. Located in the prized southern sector of Montalcino, the estate has built a reputation for Brunello di Montalcino of exceptional balance, structure, and elegance, consistently earning acclaim from critics and collectors alike. For more than two decades, Mario has championed sustainable, low-intervention viticulture, using organic fertilizers and cover crops long before formal certification, and from 2018 the estate has been officially classified as 100% organic. Terralsole is now considered one of the noteworthy boutique producers of Brunello, recognized for its meticulous vineyard work, terroir-focused winemaking, and ageworthy Brunello and Brunello Riserva wines.

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