2017 Fanti San Filippo - Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere

Hailed from a single eastern-exposed vineyard block just north of Montalcino, the 2017 Fanti San Filippo Le Lucere combines warm-vintage fruit intensity with preserving freshness through precise site selection and slow extraction.

This limited release draws exclusively from the 3.5-hectare Le Lucere parcel planted in 1996. The eastern-facing slopes sit above the Salvioni and La Cerbaiona vineyards at an elevation that keeps nighttime temperatures lower, protecting the organically managed Sangiovese from heat stress. Owner Roberto Giannelli and winemaker Paolo Caciorgna keep maceration periods short to maintain the fruit’s integrity, then transfer the wine into large Slavonian oak casks and smaller barrels for two years. Annual production stays around 13,000 bottles, guaranteeing tight allocation throughout the supply chain.

The deep ruby liquor shows garnet highlights and opens with a complex aromatic stack: macerated cherries, sweet cinnamon, clove, and dried thyme. A bright blood orange accent cuts through the darker spice, backed by a faint trail of smoked forest floor. Structurally, the mouthfeel is dense and velvety but supported by lean, racy tannins that keep the wine focused. Forward floral notes extend the finish well past the halfway mark. Serve alongside herb-roasted rack of lamb or thick slices of aged pecorino to complement its savory gravity. Open the bottle half an hour before pouring to let the aromatics expand fully.