2015 Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino

Le Chiuse played a key role in the vineyard holdings of the legendary Biondi-Santi family since the late 18th century. Handed down, generation-to-generation the current owner, Simonetta Valiani is the great-granddaughter of Ferruccio Biondi-Santi. Simonetta inherited the estate and decided to start producing wine under the Le Chiuse name in 1993 with the help of her husband, Nicolò Magnelli, and their son, Lorenzo. Until then, the vineyards were rented to her uncle, Franco Biondi-Santi, which were at the time used for Biondi-Santi’s Riserva bottling.

The vineyards are planted with a form of Massal selection in order to maintain the genetic heritage of the estate. Budwood from 60-70-year-old vines of Sangiovese, personally selected by Tancredi Biondi-Santi for these vineyards, is grafted onto American rootstock. To maintain the highest quality, yields are carefully controlled. The yields here are half that demanded by consorzio rules. The winery’s gravity-fed cellars are state-of-the-art.

On this 6ha vineyard, 15-year-old cordon spur-trained Sangiovese Grosso vines are planted at a density of 4,500 plants/ha. The grapes are harvested by hand in the last week of September, are then crushed and transferred to tank by gravity. The Brunello endures 18 days maceration/fermentation period (29C) with natural yeasts and frequent punch-down of the cap during the first week to promote extraction. The wine is then racked 2/3 times until March when it is transferred to oak. The aging process takes 3 years in 20HL Allier and Slavonian bottle followed by 2 years in bottle. 

Vintage Report from James Suckling:

"The 2015 vintage is a historical year for Brunello and nobody should miss it. The wines show impressive precision of vivid fruit, fine tannins, and freshness in acidity despite their ripeness and richness which makes them some of the most exciting in years. The growing season in 2015 was impressive. The winter and spring had plenty of rain to make up for the intense sun and heat during the summer. There was some rain in September before the harvest to freshen the vineyards. And as noted before, good vineyard management compensated for the hot weather during the growing season, and sorting out dried grapes at harvest was extremely important for making exceptional wines."

Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Bright garnet red in color. It has an intense persistent fragrance, pure and full-bodied. Various fragrances can be recognized, from forest fruits to light vanilla. To the taste, the wine is smooth and elegant, dry with an excellent persistent of aroma.