# Rosso di Montalcino (2020)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Verbena
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Sangiovese
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €34
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, black plum, blueberry, vanilla, chocolate

## About this wine

Azienda Agricola Verbena's Rosso di Montalcino 2020 is a 100% Sangiovese from the esteemed Montalcino region of Tuscany, Italy. This family-owned estate, managed by the Nannetti family, leverages generations of experience and a unique approach to viticulture. Verbena cultivates grapes across three distinct vineyard sites, each with its own elevation and exposure, contributing to the wine's complexity. The 2020 vintage, marked by a warm summer, yielded ripe fruit and well-structured wines. The producer emphasizes a balance between tradition and innovation in their winemaking philosophy.

## Interesting facts

- Verbena utilizes three distinct vineyard sites at varying elevations (420m, 400m, and 635m) to achieve complexity.
- The highest vineyard, 'Le Pope', at 635m, offers a uniquely cool microclimate for slow maturation.
- The Nannetti family has been making wine in Montalcino for generations, with their first Brunello released in 1985.
- Consulting enologist Paolo Caciorgna brings extensive expertise to Verbena's winemaking.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium-plus body and ripe tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of red meats and hearty pasta dishes. Its bright acidity cuts through fatty elements, cleansing the palate, while the fruit notes harmonize with tomato-based sauces and roasted flavors.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Azienda Agricola Verbena's Rosso di Montalcino 2020 begins with separate fermentations for grapes from each of their three distinct vineyard sites. This allows for the preservation of individual vineyard characteristics. The wine is then aged in a combination of Austrian oak, large Slavonian botti, and French oak, a blend designed to impart structure and integrate oak nuances. This approach reflects the producer's commitment to showcasing the Sangiovese grape and the Montalcino terroir.