Le Chiuse Rosso di Montalcino 2018

Le Chiuse played a key role in the vineyard holdings of the legendary Biondi-Santi family since the late 18th Century when they used these vineyards for their Riserva bottling. Handed down, generation to generation the current owner, Simonetta Valiani is the great granddaughter of Ferruccio Biondi-Santi. Simonetta regained full ownership of the property in 1993 when she decided to produce her own wine under the label “Brunello Le Chiuse” with her husband, Nicolò Magnelli and their son, Lorenzo. Until then, the vineyards were rented to her uncle, Franco Biondi-Santi, still used for their Riserva bottling. Together, the family restored the farmhouse buildings, the chapel, built a new underground-cellar and planted new vineyards with traditional methods necessary to produce classically styled Brunello di Montalcino.

The vineyards are planted with a form of Massale selection in order to maintain the genetic heritage of the estate. Budwood from 60-70 year old vines, the same selected by Tancredi Biondi-Santi, is grafted onto American rootstock. Harvest is done manually. Grapes are crushed and transferred to tank by gravity and see a 15-day 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. All the grapes are 100% Sangiovese Grosso and the cellar contains both Allier and Slavonian botti – oak casks – (20/30HL).