Il Palazzone, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2001

Il Palazzone is a small, environmentally engaged producer of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. With vineyards in three areas of Montalcino, at different altitudes and exposures, the vineyard is able to bottle all the complimentary aspects of Montalcino terroir into its traditional style of Brunello.

TOTAL PRODUCTION: 8-12,000 750 ml bottles, depending on vintage

FIRST VINTAGE: 1990

GRAPES: Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is produced with 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes from our own property in Montalcino.

VINEYARDS: The estate has three separate vineyards in quite different areas of Montalcino.

GROWTH SYSTEM: Balanced single spur cordon

YIELD PER HECTARE: Generally less than 5.000 kg. grapes, much lower than the maximum yield permitted for DOCG production.

HARVEST: Usually the first week of October. Often Le Due Porte, our highest elevation vineyard is picked 1-2 weeks after the Castelnuovo dell’Abate vineyards. The grapes are picked by hand using small crates.

VINIFICATION: Long maceration in contact with the marcs with frequent pumpovers. Maximum temperature 28 – 30° C. Fermentation in 50 HL wood casks. Traditional Basket Press.

AGING: Traditional aging times are respected. Il Palazzone Brunello often spends nearly four years in wood. Current DOCG regulations specify a minimum of only two years. We use large Slavonian oak barrels.