half case (6 bt) Brunello di Montalcino – Cupano Riserva 2016

Description

One of my first love in the area, a real FRENCH vigneron in Montalcino! Lionel and Ornella bought Cupano in 1994. That land – located south-west of Montalcino, close to the medieval town of Camigliano – had been left uncultivated for more than 40 years. The soil they found was extremely pure, never touched by chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides or any other form of industrial agriculture. Thus, in 1997, Ornella and Lionel chose to plant 3.4 hectares of vineyard around the hill, facing south, certified organic since the very beginning: 2.4 hectares of Sangiovese for Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino, 0.6 Cabernet Sauvignon and 0.4 Merlot. François Bouchet initiated Cupano to biodynamic, the simple and efficient biodynamic of the old gentleman farmer he was. A truly boutique winery that trough the few bottles made succesfully represent the double soul of a modern oriented wine in a traditional area!

STYLE: MODERN STYLE

POSITION: Deep south West of the Hill of Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016

VINOUS – 95 Points – Like forbidden fruit, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva opens slowly in the glass, blowing off an initial whiff of sweet spice and pine shavings. Beneath the surface, there are grumbling depths of black cherries, tea leaves, dried roses, mocha and smoke. This fleshes out across the palate like pure silk, motivated by vibrant acidity, while potent mineral-tinged red and blue berries slowly saturate the senses. A web of fine-grained tannin remains as the 2016 flexes its structural muscle and wrangles its sweet vivid fruits. That said, nearly a minute goes by and you can still taste hints of blueberry skins and plums plus nuances of vanilla bean. Cupano made a marvelous Riserva in the 2016 vintage.