Cerbaia Brunello di Montalcino 2014

Cerbaia is a tiny estate, just 12 acres. The vines were planted in the ‘70s on northeast facing parcels, rooted in the famous Montosoli calcareous soil. Elena Pellagrini’s time at the estate has just begun and in her second vintage, she has produced an elegant rendition of Brunello. The high elevation and mineral soil produce naturally tiny, thick skinned berries, perfect for making concentrated, structured wine yet with an aromatic complexity and finesse of tannin that usually reserved for wines at a much greater price. Elena’s 2014 Brunello is fragrant, redolent of purple flowers, sage and wild berries. The fruit is fresh, fine and long, with flavors of dried cherry tinged with anise and earth. The wine is dark and powerfully concentrated yet finishes fresh and kind stony, making it both fantastic at the table now and a great candidate for long aging.

Elena’s neighbors, Sassetti-Pertimali, Altesino and Valdicava start at $70 and quickly escalate from there. I have no doubt in time that Elena’s Cerbaia will be right there along side of them because it is absolutely just as good but for now, we’ve got a good deal to take advantage of. Don’t miss the new comer to the Brunello scene. She won’t be under the radar for very long…