San Giorgio

Ugolforte Brunello di Montalcino

Ugolforte Brunello di Montalcino bottle image
Ugolforte Brunello di Montalcino bottle image

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San Giorgio

Ugolforte Brunello di Montalcino

The San Giorgio estate vineyards are essentially a continuation of the coveted Poggio di Sotto site in Castelnuovo dell'Abate. As such, the Sangiovese Grosso cultivated here benefits from the same climatic conditions, soils, and exposures as its world-renowned sibling. As part of the Collemassari Group of estates, San Giorgio's vines are now managed and vinified by the same world-class winemaking team of Tuscan icons, Poggio di Sotto and Grattamacco. 

The name “Ugolforte” comes from a well-known bandit which during the XII century has lead the rebellion of Montalcino’s people against the power of Siena.

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Wine Production

The fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with gentle and repeated pumping over, allowing a long maceration and slow release of noble and fully ripe tannins. Aging is carried out in 30hl oak casks over a period of 24 months. 

Tasting Notes

San Giorgio Ugolforte presents a dark core of red and black berry fruit layered with earth, leather, smoke, and herbs. Complex and elegant, the wine is full on the palate and firm in tannin structure. Refreshing acidity frames a graceful finish. Classic Brunello di Montalcino.

Food Pairing

Traditionally paired with game and hardy, autumnal fare, Brunello di Montalcino is one of the world's great red wines. Enjoy with a celebratory meal or contemplate alone as a true "Vino da Meditazione".

The San Giorgio estate vineyards are essentially a continuation of the coveted Poggio di Sotto site in Castelnuovo dell'Abate. As such, the Sangiovese Grosso cultivated here benefits from the same climatic conditions, soils, and exposures as its world-renowned sibling. As part of the Collemassari Group of estates, San Giorgio's vines are now managed and vinified by the same world-class winemaking team of Tuscan icons, Poggio di Sotto and Grattamacco. 

The name “Ugolforte” comes from a well-known bandit which during the XII century has lead the rebellion of Montalcino’s people against the power of Siena.

All Products →

Wine Production

The fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with gentle and repeated pumping over, allowing a long maceration and slow release of noble and fully ripe tannins. Aging is carried out in 30hl oak casks over a period of 24 months. 

Tasting Notes

San Giorgio Ugolforte presents a dark core of red and black berry fruit layered with earth, leather, smoke, and herbs. Complex and elegant, the wine is full on the palate and firm in tannin structure. Refreshing acidity frames a graceful finish. Classic Brunello di Montalcino.

Food Pairing

Traditionally paired with game and hardy, autumnal fare, Brunello di Montalcino is one of the world's great red wines. Enjoy with a celebratory meal or contemplate alone as a true "Vino da Meditazione".

Brand Materials

Tech Sheet Download Bottle Shot Download Acclaim Linkout
95
POINTS
“Deep, dark red fruits and exotic spices give way to hints of menthol, flowery undergrowth and tobacco as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte unfolds in the glass. It’s silky-smooth and cool-toned with ripe woodland berries, hints of clove and blood orange. Fine tannins coat the palate, but energy remains high due to vibrant acidity, as this tapers off with a salty, almost silty minerality under rosy inner florals. The 2016 spent only six months in second-pass barriques before being completed in 30-hectoliter Slavonian oak for another 40 months. Retasting this wine with another year of bottle age was a total pleasure.”
Vinous
95
POINTS
“This is a full-bodied red with ripe blackberry, smoked-meat and burnt-orange notes. Strong tannins with a lots of chewiness. Quite tight on the finish. But there is pureness and beauty to this. More opulent than the 2015.”
James Suckling
94
POINTS
“This red is fresh, with pure black cherry fruit accented by licorice, earth, tobacco and spice notes. Firmly structured yet more sleek than dense, thanks to a brisk acidity, the lingering tannins are offset by an echo of ripe fruit.”
Wine Spectator
94
POINTS
“The 2016 Ugolforte Brunello has aromas of black raspberry, violets, and dusty earth. The palate is inviting with ripe cherry fruit, licorice, dried herbs, and fine-grained tannins. This will certainly be a fun property to watch and there is an elegance to the 2016 that I feel is a wonderful introduction to the new ownership.”
Jeb Dunnuck
93
POINTS
“The San Giorgio 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte shows immediate richness and softness, with a smooth vinous texture that is fleshed out with ripe cherry, plum and dried blackberry. This expression offers extra dimension with a broad textural approach and attractive softness that is both velvety and elegant. There are earthy notes and hints of sour cherry on the close.”
Wine Advocate
93
POINTS
“This 360-acre estate in Montalcino’s southeastern sector sold in 2016 to the Tipa-Bertarelli family, who also own the nearby Poggio di Sotto. The fruit for Ugolforte comes from east-facing vines on heavy clay soils; it shows flavors of tart cherry and toasted almond enriched by notes of vanilla and warm spice. The 2016 spent time in small barrels, according to consultant Federico Staderini, who notes that going forward, the wine will be aged in large (30-hectoliter) oak casks.”
Wine & Spirits
92
POINTS
“Blue-flower, star anise, coffee-bean and crushed mint aromas take shape in the glass. On the austere, linear palate, taut, close-grained tannins accompany sour cherry, blood orange and licorice while firm acidity keeps it light on its feet.”
Wine Enthusiast
“Lustrous ruby. Very youthful and tight yet clearly concentrated on the nose and with the merest hint of oak. Succulent and deep on the palate and with an imposing tannic structure that is quite demanding right now. Clearly built to age, which it needs.” (17++ out of 20 points) 
Jancis Robinson

Vineyard & Production Info

Production area/appellation:
Tuscany/Brunello di Montalcino
Vineyard size:
61 acres
Soil composition:
Calcareous and Clay
Elevation:
787 feet
Exposure:
Various
Year vineyard planted:
1979-2014
Harvest time:
September
First vintage of this wine:
1985
Bottles produced of this wine:
1,500
Average Vine Age:
25 years

Winemaking & Aging

Maceration length:
3-4 weeks
Fermentation container:
Oak Vats 50hL & 70hL
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
15 days days
Fermentation temperature:
75-86 °F
Maceration technique:
Pumpovers
Malolactic fermentation:
Full
Fining agent:
no fining
Type of aging container:
Oak Casks
Size of aging container:
30hL
Type of oak:
Slavonian
Length of aging before bottling:
42 months
Age of Aging Container:
10 years
Length of bottle aging:
12 months

Analytical Data

Acidity:
5.8 g/L
Alcohol:
13.5 %
Dry extract:
27.4 g/L
Residual sugar:
0.5 g/L

About the Vineyard

This wine is produced from the estate's most mature vines (20 years old on average), situated between 250 and 400 meters above sea level. The soil is rich with calcareous deposits and clay. The climate is mild and Mediterranean with nearly constant winds, creating an ideal environment for minimally invasive viticulture. 

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