# Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino (2014)

- **Producer:** Marchesi Antinori
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €73
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, redcurrant, rose, violet, black pepper, herbaceous, smoke, chocolate, leather, tobacco, forest floor, mushroom

## About this wine

Pian delle Vigne, located in the southern part of Montalcino, takes its name from a historic 19th-century railway station situated on the estate. Acquired by the historic Marchesi Antinori family in 1995, the estate represents their dedication to the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino appellation. The Antinori family, with over 26 generations of winemaking history dating back to 1385, brings centuries of expertise to this property. The estate spans 184 hectares, with 65 hectares planted to vines. The 2014 vintage presented unique challenges due to a cool, damp growing season. However, this resulted in a fascinating decision: Antinori chose not to produce their single-vineyard Riserva, 'Vignaferrovia.' Instead, all the top-tier grapes from that prized plot were blended directly into the estate's core Brunello di Montalcino, significantly elevating its complexity and structure.

## Interesting facts

- The estate is named after an active 19th-century railway station located directly within the vineyard boundaries.
- In 2014, Antinori declassified their top Riserva 'Vignaferrovia' and blended its grapes into this wine, boosting its quality.
- The wine is aged traditionally in massive Slavonian oak casks up to 8,000 liters, rather than small French barriques.

## Food pairing

This Brunello's high natural acidity and structured, fine-grained tannins make it an exceptional partner for rich, savory dishes. The acidity cuts through the fat of roasted meats and rich sauces, while the wine's savory, earthy undertones beautifully complement game, wild mushrooms, and aged cheeses. The structured tannins are softened by proteins, creating a harmonious balance on the palate.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for the 2014 vintage began with meticulous manual selection in the vineyard to ensure only the healthiest Sangiovese grapes were harvested. Upon arrival at the cellar, the grapes were destemmed and gently crushed. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, with skin contact (maceration) lasting for 15 days at 28°C (82°F) to extract supple tannins and preserve fresh fruit characteristics. Following fermentation, the wine underwent complete malolactic fermentation in large oak casks. Adhering to a traditional philosophy, the wine was aged for over two years in large Slavonian oak casks (botti grandi) ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 liters, avoiding the use of small new French barriques. After aging in wood, the wine underwent a lengthy refining period in the bottle before its commercial release in early 2019.