2020 Mastrojanni - Brunello di Montalcino (750ml)
Mastrojanni has been producing wine since 1975, when lawyer Gabriele Mastrojanni recognized the untapped potential of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, a remote corner in the southeastern reaches of the Montalcino zone that few winemakers had yet explored. The estate is now owned by the Illy family, best known for coffee, and remains dedicated to traditional methods, aging its wines in large botti rather than smaller barrels. Positioned near the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, the property sits in a stretch of countryside shaped by the Orcia River and the dormant volcano Monte Amiata, giving the area its own distinct microclimate within Brunello country.
The vineyards face south and southeast across a mix of clay, ancient cobblestone debris, tuff, and sandstone soils, and are planted entirely to Sangiovese. True to the estate's traditionalist philosophy, the wine undergoes a long maceration followed by an extended aging period of around three years in large Slavonian oak casks, a method Mastrojanni has maintained since its founding rather than following more modern trends toward smaller barrels.
The 2020 shows a deep brick red hue and opens with baked cherry, leather, truffle, and crushed flowers, along with a thread of licorice running through the glass. The palate is silky and detailed, framed by ultra-fine tannins and a clean finish with a faint saline edge. This Brunello suits braised short ribs, roasted game, or a well-aged pecorino.