Rosso di Montalcino 2019 Le Ragnaie

Rosso di Montalcino 2019 Le Ragnaie

Rosso di Montalcino from Tuscany. Already surprisingly drinkable! (written late 2024). A lighter and more elegant expression of Brunello. Wonderfully pure dark red fruit, sour cherry, raspberry, and dried earth.

The 2022 and 2021 vintages are still widely available but not yet ready to drink. Take advantage of this offer for the 2019 vintage!

With only 13.5% alcohol, it features a transparent color, light texture, and subtle concentration. Aromas of toasted oak, dark fruit, and earthy tones, complemented by playful tannins. Hints of eucalyptus, thyme, and a touch of light tobacco provide a refined finish. A delight even for Burgundy enthusiasts who value elegance.

Drinking window: now until 2035. Decanting is recommended. These wines are known for their excellent aging potential. According to the winemaker, he is currently enjoying his own 2010 vintage.

Awards

• Robert Parker: 92/100

• Jancis Robinson: 92/100

Pairs beautifully with Italian cuisine based on tomatoes but also with chorizo bites and eggplant chutney, pizzas, beef with carrots and thyme. Beef tenderloin skewers with plums and coriander. Rosemary osso buco with tagliatelle. And let’s not forget risotto! Traditional recipes like pappardelle with hare ragout and veal with porcini mushrooms also pair wonderfully.

Background

“Ragnaie” is an Etruscan word referring to the net used in ancient times to catch birds. Riccardo Campinoti and his wife Jennifer chose this name for their wine project to connect with the history and traditions of the region. This cultural and symbolic value reflects the authenticity of their wines, which are deeply rooted in the past.

With a total of 28 hectares in Montalcino, in the province of Siena in southwestern Tuscany, a third of their vineyards are located in the Lume Spento pass, one of the highest points in the DOC Rosso di Montalcino, at 600 meters above sea level.

2019 was a vintage that winemakers across Italy will remember for years. Until May, the weather was too cold, and in many regions, rain during the flowering period reduced yields. In early June, the weather finally changed dramatically: within seven days, temperatures rose from a cool 18°C to a hot 38°C. This allowed the vines to dry out and growth accelerated. However, the harvest took place later than in previous years, sometimes not until October—a scenario reminiscent of the 1990s. Many wines from this vintage have a classic character, and leading winemakers agree that 2019 will be remembered as an exceptional vintage.

The grapes for the Rosso di Montalcino come from Castelnuovo, Pertuso, and Le Ragnaie, the same locations where the grapes for their Brunello are harvested. As with their Rosso Toscana, about 32,000 bottles are produced annually. Harvesting is done by hand, followed by spontaneous fermentation and a 30-day maceration on the skins in temperature-controlled concrete tanks. The wine is then aged for 24 months in large Slovenian oak barrels (2,500 to 5,000 liters). No fining and only light filtration are carried out.

Tasting Notes

Eric Guido, Vinous, October 2022:

“Like cracking open a charcoal-gray stone: smoky, mineral, and nuanced with muted red berries and hints of animal musk, the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino reveals itself. This wine exudes extreme elegance, with ripe berries and mineral undertones, enhanced by vibrant acidity and savory herbs that excite the senses. Remarkably fresh, with youthful concentration, it remains refined and charming. The 2019 is an exceptional Rosso from Le Ragnaie.”

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, March 2023:

“Aged for two years in large oak barrels, the Le Ragnaie 2019 Rosso di Montalcino is released later than its competitors, allowing subtle aging complexity to develop in its bouquet. This beautiful wine offers notes of dark cherry, plum, spices, smoke, and dark cola. There’s also a savory side with earthy mineral tones. The bouquet is fresh and lively.”