Sesti Brunello di Montalcino 2020
Sesti Brunello di Montalcino is a stunning, deeply flavourful Italian red wine crafted in the sun-drenched hills of southern Tuscany. The family behind this wine tend to their vines using purely biodynamic methods, relying on the natural environment and lunar cycles rather than synthetic chemicals. Growing pure Sangiovese grapes this way on warm, sandy slopes allows the fruit to ripen beautifully in the Mediterranean sunshine, resulting in a wine that is incredibly healthy, full of life, and deeply connected to the land. After the grapes are carefully picked by hand, the wine spends over three years resting quietly in large traditional oak barrels. This slow maturation softens the wine and adds a wonderful layer of complexity without overwhelming the fruit with heavy wood flavours. In the glass, it opens with fragrant aromas of sweet tobacco, dried Mediterranean herbs, and a hint of wild flowers. Every sip is packed with ripe black cherry and juicy plum, backed by a gentle, earthy spice and velvety tannins that leave a long, mouth-watering finish. While it is certainly capable of ageing gracefully in the cellar, this Brunello di Montalcino is a spectacular bottle to open for a special weekend dinner right now. To enjoy it at its absolute best, decant the wine an hour before serving so the flavours have time to breathe and expand. It is a fantastic match for rich, hearty dishes—pair a bottle with a slow-cooked beef ragù with fresh pasta, a comforting winter stew, or a selection of mature, hard cheeses.
