Salicutti

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2003

Wine Description

Made from 100% Sangiovese harvested from the Vigna del Teatro and Vigna del Piaggione vineyards. After traditional red wine fermentation, the wine is aged in a combination of large French and Slavonian oak casks for 3 years. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration and is matured for an additional year in bottle. This Brunello exhibits intense garnet color with a floral and fruity bouquet. Solid tannic structure surrounds an ample palate that shows hints of coffee and chocolate on the finish. Intense and persistent.

Tasting Notes

Intense garnet color with a complete balsamic, spiced and fruity nose. Strong tannic structure with an ample palate. Hints of chocolate and coffee on the finish. Intense and persistent. Recommended with grilled meat and game. Excellent with aged cheeses.

Vineyard Characteristics

Production area/name of vineyard: The Vigna del Teatro & Vigna Della Sorgente vineyards
Size of vineyard (acres): 5
Soil composition: clay and sand
Training method: spur pruned cordon
Elevation (feet): 1,475
Vines/acre: 9
Yield/acre (tons): 2.5
Exposure: Southeastern
Year vineyard planted: 1994

Winemaking & Aging

Harvest time: September-October
First vintage of this wine: 1995
Number bottles produced of this wine: 8,000
Fermentation
Fermentation container: stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation (days): 6
Fermentation temperature (°F): 89
Length of maceration (days): 15
Malolactic fermentation: totally carried out
Aging
Size of aging container: 5000 L
Length of aging before bottling: 3 years
Length of bottle aging: 1 year
Analytical Data
Alcohol: 14.5%
pH level: 3.5
Residual sugar (grams/liter): 1.3
Acidity (grams/liter): 5.5
Dry extract (grams/liter): 28.3

Reviews

Wine Spectator - May 15, 2008

"Ripe and spicy, with cherry and floral character on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a vanilla and cherry aftertaste. The first Brunello from this producer--and outstanding in tricky vintage. Best after 2009."
90 points


Wine Spectator - May 15, 2008

"Ripe and spicy, with cherry and floral character on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a vanilla and cherry aftertaste. The first Brunello from this producer--and outstanding in tricky vintage. Best after 2009."
90 points


Forbes Online - 2006
We Love Brunello, And We're Not Alone

Top Brunello Producer


Wine Spectator - September 15, 2002
Based on tastings of multiple vintages
"Owner Francesco Leanza attributes the quality of his Brunello to a perfectly manicured vineyard. His wines are rich and powerful, with loads of fruit and velvety tannins. Production should increase in coming years as new vineyards come on line."
98 points