Donatella Cinelli Colombini : Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018

Tasting notes and advice for Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a deep ruby-red color with faint garnet or brick highlights at the rim of the glass, reflecting a moderate development appropriate for a wine of this age.

Nose

The nose reveals a complex, elegant bouquet, with floral aromas of violet alongside red and black fruit, notably cherry. Notes of tar, tobacco, black pepper and exotic spices complete the aromatic palette, while balsamic and mineral touches reminiscent of crushed stone add fine depth. Nuances of wild herbs and fennel round out the whole with finesse.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its velvety texture and silky feel. The palate unveils a core of red fruit infused with minerality, accompanied by exotic spices that evolve toward impressions of crushed stone and earth. A few saline notes add an extra dimension. The tannic structure is refined and well integrated, while the acidity brings freshness and tension. The finish impresses with its exceptional length and remarkable aromatic persistence, where fruit, minerals and spices linger harmoniously.

Food and wine pairings

Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 pairs perfectly with generous, flavorful dishes. It is an ideal match for braised or slow-cooked game meats, such as wild boar ragù, venison, duck or guinea fowl, particularly when served with mushroom, balsamic vinegar or wine-based sauces. Roast veal and pork, enhanced with woodland mushrooms or truffle, also make excellent pairings. For cheese lovers, aged Tuscan pecorinos are a choice match. Truffle-based dishes—whether risotto or fresh pasta with truffle butter—highlight the mineral character and aromatic complexity of this wine.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 at a temperature between 18 and 20°C. Decanting one to two hours before serving allows for optimal aeration and helps soften the tannins for an ideal tasting experience.

An elegant, refined Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from Toscane by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

The estate

The Casato Prime Donne estate, established in 1998 by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, stands out as the first Italian winery run entirely by women. Located in Montalcino in Toscane, it spans approximately thirteen hectares of vines. The property has historical roots dating back to 1592, when the ancestors of Donatella Cinelli Colombini—the Socini family of Siena—built the first structures on the Casato site. A pioneer of wine tourism in Italy, Donatella Cinelli Colombini created the Movimento Turismo del Vino in 1993 and the Cantine Aperte event. Now President of the Associazione Nazionale Le Donne del Vino since 2016, she embodies a deep commitment to advancing women in Italy’s wine sector. The estate has been certified organic since 2018 and champions values of respect for nature, people and local traditions.

The vineyard

Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 comes from the Ardita vineyard, established by Donatella Cinelli Colombini on previously uncultivated land belonging to the Casato property. Located in the northern sector of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation at around 225 meters above sea level, this vineyard benefits from a relatively cool microclimate. The soils have a complex composition dominated by clay, tuff and rocky elements typical of the Montalcino area. Planting density reaches around 5,000 vines per hectare, trained in Royat cordon. Rootstocks were selected according to each plot: Paulsen for lower areas to encourage deep rooting, and 420A for the hillsides. Some vines were replanted from cuttings taken from the oldest plots dating back to the 1940s, thus preserving the estate’s genetic heritage.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Montalcino is characterized by its elegance and freshness. Winter brought abundant rainfall, replenishing water reserves after the 2017 drought. Budbreak and flowering proceeded without major complications. Summer temperatures remained moderate, with only one heat spike in July reaching 35 to 36°C. From mid-June to late August, temperatures generally hovered around thirty degrees without exceeding it, encouraging steady vegetative growth. The wet spring and summer created significant fungal pressure, requiring vigilant vineyard management. Two notable rainy episodes occurred on September 1 and 17, but persistent westerly winds throughout September caused natural dehydration of the berries, concentrating aromas and structure. These conditions produced wines that are fresh and elegant, with fine aromatic definition and polished tannins.

Vinification and aging

Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 was vinified according to rigorous protocols reflecting the estate’s quality-driven philosophy. Fermentation takes place in truncated-cone cement vats, open at the top and equipped with mechanical arms that allow gentle punch-downs without the use of aggressive mechanical pump-overs. The estate uses indigenous yeasts isolated in collaboration with consultant Olivier Agar, thereby preserving the vineyard’s natural microbial expression. After fermentation, this wine from Toscane underwent extended aging in line with the requirements of the Riserva classification. Aging begins in 500-liter French oak barrels, then continues in larger 15-hectoliter foudres, following a gradual approach to oxidation and tannin polymerization. This method promotes an elegant, refined expression with restrained oak influence. The wine was then bottled and continued to mature before release, in accordance with Riserva regulations.

Grape variety

100% sangiovese.