2020 Mastrojanni - Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva Vigna Schiena d'Asino (750ml)

Mastrojanni is one of the historic estates of Brunello di Montalcino, built on old-vine Sangiovese planted at densities ranging from 3,600 to 5,300 vines per hectare. The estate keeps yields well below the appellation's already strict limits, prioritizing concentration over volume across its vineyards. Vigna Schiena d'Asino, named for a ridge whose silhouette resembles a donkey's backbone, holds the winery's oldest vines and stands as its top tier bottling, distinguished by a black wax seal on the bottle.

This Riserva comes from Sangiovese Grosso grown on that same ridge, where mature vines channel decades of root depth into fruit of unusual concentration. Brunello di Montalcino requires a minimum of four years of aging with at least two in oak, and Mastrojanni extends that process further for its Riserva bottlings, allowing the wine's tannic structure to soften and integrate over a longer cellar rest before release. The result reflects both the appellation's warm, dry climate and the particular character of this single, historic vineyard.

Intense and translucent ruby in the glass, the wine opens with ripe plum and wild berry layered over Mediterranean scrub, leading into a full-bodied palate built on tightly woven, powerful tannins and bright acidity. It closes long and savory, built for extended cellaring. Serve it with braised beef, aged pecorino, or wild boar ragù.