Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2018

 

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Antinori
Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2018
  • Vintage : 2018
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Tuscany (Brunello di Montalcino)
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14°
  • Grappes : 100% Sangiovese

Pian delle Vigne offers a refined expression of Brunello di Montalcino, showcasing the unique character of Sangiovese with remarkable depth and elegance.

Experts Score Vintage
WE Wine Enthusiast 95 2018
WS Wine Spectator 94 2018
JS James Suckling 93 2018
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 92 2018
RP Robert Parker 93 2016
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Pian delle Vigne is located 6 kilometers southwest of Montalcino, in the heart of Tuscany, a region celebrated for its world-class Brunello di Montalcino wines. The estate spans 460 acres (184 hectares), of which 160 acres (65 hectares) are planted with vines. The vineyards enjoy a south-western exposure at an altitude of 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level, optimizing sunlight and airflow, which are vital for the perfect ripening of the Sangiovese grapes.

This vintage began with a winter and spring characterized by cooler-than-average temperatures and regular rainfall, which replenished groundwater reserves and supported healthy bud break and fruit set. A meticulous vineyard management approach, including leaf removal in June and cluster thinning in late July and early August, ensured balanced vines and optimal ripening. The harvest occurred slightly later than usual, from September 21st to the first week of October, yielding grapes of excellent health and aromatic intensity.

Winemaking

The harvested grapes were carefully destemmed and gently crushed before fermentation in stainless steel vats. The maceration on the skins lasted approximately 12 days at a controlled temperature of 28°C (82°F), promoting the extraction of color and tannins. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine was transferred to large oak barrels (30-80 hl), where it aged for two years, a process that preserved the integrity and vibrancy of the Sangiovese fruit.

Following barrel aging, the wine was bottled and underwent additional bottle aging to achieve its full aromatic and structural potential. This traditional approach highlights the elegance and depth characteristic of Brunello di Montalcino.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Ruby red with brilliant clarity.
  • Aroma: A complex bouquet of balsamic hints like menthol and cloves, transitioning to fruity notes of cherries, plums, and dates, with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla.
  • Palate: Silky smooth with balanced freshness, soft tannins, and a long finish marked by violet and vanilla nuances.

Did You Know?

The Pian delle Vigne estate takes its name from a 19th-century railway station located on the property. Since its acquisition by the Antinori family in 1995, the estate has adhered to a philosophy of aging in large oak casks, preserving the fruit purity and vibrant elegance of its Sangiovese grapes.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Bistecca Fiorentina: The wine’s tannins and freshness balance the rich, grilled flavors of this iconic Tuscan steak.
  • Wild Boar Ragù: Its vibrant fruit and structure complement the bold flavors of this traditional Tuscan dish.
  • Porcini Mushroom Risotto: The earthy and creamy profile of the risotto pairs harmoniously with the wine’s complexity.
  • Aged Pecorino Toscano: The nutty, sharp notes of this cheese enhance the wine’s depth and finish.

History of Antinori

In 1385, the Antinori family became part of the wine business when Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Florentine Vintner's Guild.

Since 1966, Marchese Piero Antinori, son of Marchese Niccolò, has run the company with his daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia, also playing an active role.

For more than 26 generations now, Antinori's philosophy has been based on the combination of both tradition and innovation: to preserve Italy's enological traditions and to experiment innovation in winemaking, giving each wine tester the pleasure of discovering a unique alliance.

Vineyards

Each of Antinori's vineyards and estates has its own individual character, its own history and its own universe perceived and discovered in the tasting of each of their fine wines.

Badia a Passignano

Antinori's vineyards for red wine are mostly located in Tuscany, in the area of Chianti Classico where it owns three estates, total 575 acres: Tignanello, Pèppoli and Badia a Passignano.

White wine is produced in Umbria in the Orvieto Classico region, at Castello della Sala estate, and in Tuscany at Monteloro estate.

Red wine comes from the Montepulciano, Bolgheri, Montalcino, Castiglione della Pescaia and Sovana areas.

Besides Tuscany and Umbria, Antinori is also present in Lombardy, Piedmont, Apulia, California, Washington State, Hungary and Malta where it produces both red and white wines.

The Tignanello and Solaia Estate - The uniqueness of a land and the history of a great wine

The Tignanello estate is a total of 319 hectares in size of which 127 hectares are planted with vines. In particular, two vineyards are real treasures:

  • Solaia: 20 hectares
  • Tignanello: 57 hectares

The area is very particular due to the high altitude being over 400 metres above sea level, the vineyards having a southwest exposure to the sun, the microclimate and the soil, which is marine loam based with a rich addition of alberese and galestro rock dating back to the Eocene and Miocene eras.

Viticulture

The growing season here is characterized by hot days and cool nights.

In the early 1970ies, the Tignanello estate was, to some extent, the viticultural research ground for Antinori. Investigations into vine growing concentrated on the improvement of the grapes to obtain a higher concentration and softer tannins. This was achieved through planting density, foliage control and selection of the Cabernet and Sangiovese.

In the oenological field, the goals were to achieve wines with a well-defined character.

This was accomplished by a rigorous selection of the grapes during harvest and when received at the winery, gentle crushing of the grapes with as little stress as possible, and by allowing malolactic fermentation to occur in barrel.

When the first production of Solaia began, more than thirty years ago, the grapes came from a plot of land that was within the larger Tignanello vineyard. The same particular characteristics as the original vineyard, such as the altitude, the soil type and the good exposure to the sun (hence the name Solaia), are also found in a nearby vineyard. This vineyard has been integrated into the original vineyard since 1997.

Currently, the Solaia vineyard is 20 hectares and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (15 hectares), Cabernet Franc (1 hectare) and Sangiovese (4 hectares) with an average age of 15 years.

The density per hectare varies from a minimum of 5,500 to a maximum of 7,200 and the low-spurred cordon training system is used. Over the years, there has been a progressive renewal of the Solaia vineyard. This has been accomplished by utilizing the many years of knowledge and ever-increasing experience of the estate's land to highlight the personality of Solaia.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 95 Points (2018)
The nose is a jungle adventure, as sanguine notes of meat and leather intertwine with a thicket of wild herbs, brambles and leaves, and a last hint of wild cherry. The palate teleports to the ice cream parlor on Main Street, serving artisanal, hand-churned mint chip, with a Luxardo cherry on top. A rare combination of extravagant and refreshing.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 94 Points (2018)
A generous red, where ripe cherry, raspberry, plum, iron and rose hip aromas and flavors abound. Juicy and balanced, with a solid base of tannins underneath. A fine expression, this is balanced and persistent on the finish.

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2018)
Intense chocolate, hazelnut, blackcurrants, cherries and spiced plums on the nose with hints of sage. It’s full-bodied and richly flavorful, accompanied by firm yet creamy tannins. Polished and well-balanced. Drink or hold.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 92 Points (2018)
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and balsamic in the glass, grumbling up with rich notes of mocha, plum sauce, grilled herbs and crushed ashen stone. This is silky, almost creamy in feel, flooding the palate with mocha-tinged red fruits and rum-soaked raisins complemented by hints of tobacco toward the close. The 2018 tapers off with a mentholated freshness and grippy tannins that, at first, take hold of the senses, but then slowly release them, allowing hints of balsam and exotic spice to linger. This unique vintage of Pian delle Vigne has a lot of upfront appeal, yet also a structure that will carry it through medium-term cellaring. (EG) 92+ (10/2022)

Robert Parker (RP) : 93 Points (2016)
This is a wine to watch, thanks to some exciting new changes to come. The Antinori family purchased new vineyards located at the highest point in the appellation at the romantically named Passo del Lume Spento (Pass of the Extinguished Lantern) where higher altitudes make for cooler growing conditions. This new acquisition complements the estate's current holdings in Pian delle Vigne (translated as the "flatlands of vines") located at much warmer lower elevations with heavier reddish soils. That means future vintages (wines to come after the 2018 Brunello that is already in bottle as I write this) may see a blend of fruit from the two sites, giving the winemaking team much more latitude to blend from both cool and warm parcels. Or the Passo del Lume Spento fruit could end up in its own single-vineyard bottling. It will be interesting to see how the estate uses its new fruit and its new winery.

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RP
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