Donatella Cinelli Colombini : Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 from Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows an intense, bright ruby-red color, reflecting the vintage’s remarkable concentration.

Nose

Complex and intense, the nose reveals aromas of ripe, jammy red fruits accompanied by spicy notes. Hints of vanilla, black pepper, and tobacco add an extra dimension to this sophisticated bouquet, reflecting the influence of extended aging in French and Slavonian oak.

Palate

On the palate, this wine stands out for its generous structure and ripe tannins. Flavors of jammy red fruits blend harmoniously with notes of spice, vanilla, black pepper, and tobacco. The finish lingers with great persistence, marked by a characteristic peppery touch that highlights the elegance and complexity of this exceptional cuvée.

Food and wine pairings

This Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is an ideal match for grilled or roasted red meats, game, and traditional Tuscan slow-cooked dishes. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses such as pecorino toscano stagionato or Parmigiano Reggiano.

Serving and cellaring

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 benefits from decanting one to two hours before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature of around 18°C.

An exceptional Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from a pioneering Tuscan estate

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 Tuscany, it spans around thirteen hectares of vineyards. 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 and the Cantine Aperte event in 1993. President of the Associazione Nazionale Le Donne del Vino since 2016, she embodies a deep commitment to advancing women in the Italian wine sector. The estate has been certified organic since 2018 and upholds values of respect for nature, people, and local traditions.

The vineyard

The vines of the Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 are planted at around 225 to 250 meters above sea level on clay-limestone soils of Pliocene sedimentary origin. The Ardita vineyard, which provides the grapes for this Riserva cuvée, benefits from a favorable exposure and a terroir particularly suited to expressing sangiovese. Farmed organically, the vineyard receives meticulous care throughout the growing season.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Montalcino was marked by exceptional weather conditions. After a wet, cool spring, the summer was hot and dry, with temperatures reaching 37 to 38°C in early August. Welcome rainfall at the end of July provided the vines with the necessary hydration ahead of veraison in mid-August. September brought warm, sunny weather with cool nights, encouraging optimal ripening. The harvest took place in excellent conditions through mid-October, resulting in perfectly ripe grapes with preserved acidity and remarkable polyphenolic concentration.

Winemaking and aging

The Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 undergoes extended aging for around 36 months in oak. Vinification begins in 500-liter barrels before being transferred to larger casks of 15 to 40 hectoliters from Slavonia and Allier. This approach enables gentle, gradual oxygenation of the wine while preserving the purity of the fruit. In accordance with the appellation regulations, the wine is then matured for at least six months in bottle before release.

Grape variety

100% sangiovese.