Le Ragnaie Rosso di Montalcino 2021

Description

“To be clear, the extremely high quality level of all the Brunellos made at this estate in any given year qualifies Le Ragnaie as one of Montalcino’s top six or seven wine estates. Virtually anything that gets bottled at this winery is a standout wine, and that’s information worth knowing… “ Vinous Media, Ian D’Agata in his article Brunello di Montalcino Sleek 13s, Surprising Riserva 12s.

Le Ragnaie winery is the property of Riccardo Campinoti and his wife Jennifer, who with the collaboration of their indispensable team of workers, pay meticulous attention to each and every phase of the winemaking process, striving to produce the best possible wines at every level. Le Ragnaie extends over 28 hectares in Montalcino, in the Province of Siena, in south western Tuscany.

One third of Le Ragnaie’s vineyards are planted at the highest altitude of any across the entire Montalcino appellation (600 metres). As one of the highest points, the area became famous amongst bird catchers, and hence the traditional bird catcher’s net featured on the label. The vineyards are farmed according to the guidelines for Organic Agriculture.

The Le Ragnaie vineyards are divided into three distinct parcels within Montalcino which allows Riccardo and Jennifer to produce three diverse ‘terroirs’ of Brunello: Le Ragnaie: The vineyard is located in the central zone of Montalcino, at the highest elevation of any in Montalcino. Petroso: The vineyard is located along the Scarnacuoia Rd below the village of Montalcino, in the oldest winemaking part of the area. Castelnuovo dell’Abate: The vineyard is located in the southern sector of Montalcino in front of the Amiata Mountain.

Unlike many Rosso di Montalcino (often comprising inferior barrels of Brunello) this is a site-specific bottling treated every step along the way with all the love and care of Riccardo’s Brunello offerings. The vineyard is situated in Castelnuovo dell’Abate on a steep hillside with Mastrojanni’s Vigna Schiena d’Asino on one side and Poggio di Sotto on the other. The grapes are handpicked and gently crushed, juice on skins for 40 days while undergoing a long, cool fermentation in concrete. It is then racked to large Slavonian botti where it rests quietly on gross lees for 24 months. This Rosso comprises ”Brunello designated fruit ‘that is a touch more open and expressive so it can be enjoyed younger.

100% sangiovese fruit, hand-harvested at low yields of just 65 Hl per hectare. Temperature controlled fermentation (31C) occurs with indigenous yeasts in cement tanks with a total of 30 days with maceration, followed by the malo-lactic fermentation. Ageing is carried out in large Slavonian oak botti for 24 months. The wine is lightly filtered but not fined prior to bottling.

Pale cherry red in colour with a concentrated yet pure bouquet of red and black cherry fruit with notes of spice and minerality. What a fine  sangiovese offering ! Fragrance,  richly textural palate with density of fruit, detail fine elegant, ripe tannins and a long dry finish.

About the 2021 vintage, Eric Guido, Vinous Media “High elevations and Le Ragnaie’s transparent style are on full display through the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino. Warm and dry vintages are becoming the norm in this region, yet this wine continues to display a cool-toned feel and unmistakable minerality. Placed next to the average Rosso, this comes across as more lifted and graceful. A bit of bottle age will add some meat to the bone. Consumers looking for a more classic style of Rosso di Montalcino, look no further.

“The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino stands out amongst its peers, coming across as savory and minerally intense, with a cascade of florals up front joined by wild herbs and blackberries. This is surprisingly soft and supple within, seaming to coast along the palate with polished red and blue fruits. A liquid violet concentration builds tension within. Spicy and structured, the 2021 forms up through the finish, flexing its tannic muscle. Licorice and inner rose notes slowly fade. Bottle age should bring more flesh to the palate. Otherwise, the 2021 is in perfect form.”  92+ points, Eric Guido, Vinous Media

94 points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate “Here’s a charming wine from Le Ragnaie. The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino is released one year later than its peers after spending two years in Slavonian botte and extra time in cement. That extra year translates into seamless fruit integration. In truth, the wine is on the timid side now, but I am confident that it will flesh out and blossom aromatically with another year or two of bottle age. It excels in terms of its balanced freshness, and there are pretty flavors of sour berry and cassis on the silky finish …”