Brunello di Montalcino 'Ciliegio' La Magia 2018

"Ciliegio" is the most important Brunello di Montalcino made by La Magia estate. It is poetically named after one of the two cherry trees bordering the vineyard's oldest part, a majestic tree that can already be spotted from a long distance. Sangiovese grows here on poor soil but of great concentration, capable of yielding an exclusive wine of limited annual production.

Podere La Magia's Brunello "Ciliegio" comes to life from Sangiovese grapes grown in the oldest parcel of the estate's vineyards, spread in a single body over 15 hectares and overlooking, from altitudes between 400 and 450 meters above sea level, the valley facing the southeastern slope of the hill of Montalcino. The planting counts an age of around 45 years and is rooted on peculiar soils with a shallow sandy matrix, lying above the layer of silt and clays, capable of retaining water reserves against periods of drought, and scattered with a rocky skeleton of calcareous nature. Work in the vineyard is conducted according to the rules of organic farming, with all the care due to fine grapes reserved for the creation of the house grand vin. Manual harvesting is carried out in September, and vinification begins in truncated conical wooden vats, with a traditionally long maceration extending for about 40 days on the skins. Ageing, which takes place over 36 months, takes place in 500-litre French oak tonneaux, mostly new and second-passage for 20 per cent of the total. Bottling takes place at the beginning of the fourth year following the harvest and ushers in a 6-month period of final rest in the cellar.

Brunello di Montalcino's "Ciliegio" by La Magia offers itself to the eye dressed in a dense garnet red colour. Intense and deep immediately presents itself on the nose, modulated around dark and ripe fruity scents: black cherry and cherries under spirits are enriched by sweet, spicy tones and finely boisée notes. The final nuance introduces roasted cocoa beans and coffee. The palate is broad, and the taste shows harmonious muscularity: intense freshness balances a powerful tannic texture, and the lingering finish lengthens on a very fine saline trail.