Mastrojanni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino

In 2017, Montalcino saw an unusually hot and dry season, which led many estates to pick earlier than usual. At Mastrojanni, yields declined by around 20 %, but the grapes that remained achieved depth of flavor and concentration. The harvest was completed in late August, compensating for the pressure of heat with lively acidity and tension.

This Brunello is 100 % Sangiovese, drawn from vineyards planted on a mix of clay, sandstone, and lime-pebble soils in Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The wine is fermented in concrete and aged in large neutral oak, aiming to highlight site identity over overt wood influence.

On the nose, one finds wild berries—Morello cherry, crushed raspberry—alongside forest floor, leather, sweet spice, and subtle balsamic or tobacco hints. In the mouth, the texture is dense yet elegant, with fine-grained, taut tannins supporting a core of red and dark fruit framed by licorice, underbrush, and a touch of espresso or mocha. The acidity keeps the wine bright, while the finish is long, savory and persistent.

Though approachable now with careful decanting, this Brunello offers the structure to evolve beautifully over a decade or more.