# Armilla Rosso di Montalcino DOC (2024)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Armilla
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, redcurrant, violet, black pepper, vanilla, cedar, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Azienda Agricola Armilla is a small, family-run estate located in Tavernelle, southwest of Montalcino. Founded by Silverio Marchetti and now managed by his daughters and grandchildren, the estate focuses on traditional, small-scale production of Sangiovese. Their Rosso di Montalcino represents a vibrant, more accessible expression of the estate's terroir, offering a youthful counterpart to their Brunello di Montalcino.

## Interesting facts

- Armilla is a small-scale estate, producing only around 15,000 bottles of wine annually across their entire portfolio.
- The name 'Armilla' refers to a gold bracelet given to Roman soldiers as a mark of military valor, discovered on the estate property.
- The vineyards are situated in Tavernelle, a sub-zone known for producing elegant, highly aromatic expressions of Sangiovese.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and moderate tannins of Sangiovese make it exceptionally food-friendly. It cuts through rich, fatty meats and pairs beautifully with tomato-based sauces, while its savory undertones complement earthy dishes like mushrooms and herbs.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-harvested from estate vineyards. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with skin contact. The wine is aged for approximately 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks (botti), preserving the bright primary fruit characteristics of Sangiovese while adding subtle complexity and softening the tannins before bottling.