2012 Pietranera Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

From one of the most expressive and hospitable ladies in Tuscany, Pietranera (black stone) is one of the best traditional values in Brunello year after year.

About the wine

This Brunello shows a beautiful ruby red color, with garnet reflections with age. On the nose it presents hints of red fruit and spices, with nuances of cacao and dark chocolate. On the palate is complex and velvety, with a bracing tension between elegant and round tannins and a well-balanced acidity, that stand out in a long finish. This wine dresses up to match a bistecca alla fiorentina or your favorite roasted meat. Or, it can be enjoyed with a pasta course such as rigatoni Bolognese. Any slow-cooked, deeply flavored dish will benefit with a glass of Pietranera.

About the Winery

Agricola Centolani is a world-famous wine estate located in the heart of Montalcino, one of the most evocative villages in legendary Tuscany. Brunello di Montalcino, one of the world’s top wines, grows here in the Siena area, amid Valle d’Arbia’s stark landscape and Valle d’Orcia’s wild, sunny stretches. The Peluso Centolani family, originally from Napoli, owns the company and possesses two major wine estates in Montalcino: Tenuta Friggiali and Tenuta Pietranera. Giovanni Peluso purchased the property in 1987 and his daughter Olga is now in charge of the business. Their vineyards, olive groves, arable land and woods cover approximately 200 hectares. Visitors can also stay at the agriturismo Relais housed in a restored 19^th century villa.

About the Region

Agricola Centolani is located in the southern part of Montalcino, close to the little town of Sant'Antimo (Siena), exactly in the heart of Montalcino’s hills. This area represents one of the best place in Tuscany to grow Sangiovese grapes and make expressive and powerful wine, like Brunello di Montalcino Pietranera 2012. Montalcino area is one of the most prestigious wine region in Italy, where Brunello di Montalcino winemaking methods involve aging the wine for a long time in large oak vats, which results in particularly complex wines. Together with its famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti Classico and of course Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany has the leadership of best wine region in the world.

Reviews

Beautiful aromas of plums and chocolate powder. Medium to full body, silky and fine tannins. Tight and structured. Very pretty and long. This will improve beautifully with age. ~ 94pts, James Suckling