2015 Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Tuscany

In the last decade, Andrea Constanti, the proprietor of one of the greatest and most historic estates in Brunello, released just two riserva bottlings—one in 2010 and one in 2015.

The rarity of these riservas reflects the incredibly rigorous standards at Conti Costanti. Andrea—described by Vinous‘ Antonio Galloni as being “at the very top of his game”—has been known to resist releasing a Brunello normale when the harvest doesn’t meet his expectations, and any potential riserva must clear an even higher bar: It must come from a truly exceptional year and possess the sophisticated tannic structure and acidity to last DECADES in the cellar.

This 2015, from a vintage heralded as one of finest in Brunello history, received a near-perfect 98 points from Wine Enthusiast’s Brunello expert Kerin O’Keefe. With a score topped only by the $300 Il Marroneto, this riserva will long be remembered as a timeless paradigm of the Costanti style, resonating with elegance, freshness, class, and brooding power.

The Costantis’ 24-acre vineyard, owned by the family for 200 years, is pure gold. At nearly 1500 feet above sea level, the high-altitude site regularly produces some of the greatest Sangiovese grown in the region.

The year 2015, which Andrea has described as one of the all-time best in Brunello history, delivered grapes with such energy, vivacity, and persistent acidity that he felt compelled to reach for the riserva designation. He pulled from the best barrels with an eye to producing a Brunello that could age 30 years or more, with a penetrating thread of acidity and an intricate latticework of tannins.

Pour it today—or over the next couple decades—and you’ll get a masterclass in old-school Sangiovese.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 14.00%
• 1 hour
• Now – 2040
• % Sangiovese
• Serving temperature – 62°
• Cork