ON THE HILL – MONTOSOLI
“The Montosoli hill possesses some of the greatest terroirs found in Tuscany’s Montalcino. The proof is in the excellent labels of Brunello di Montalcino from Montosoli, not only the versions by Altesino and Caparzo, but also Baricci, Canalicchio di Sopra, Le Ragnaie and Valdicava. I say terroirs because there are a mix of soil types and exposures, a unique situation that Montalcino native and Italy’s only Master of Wine, Gabriele Gorelli, describes as “a scaled-down version of the entire [Montalcino] appellation.” Despite a trend toward single-vineyard bottlings in the zone, no other location in Montalcino offers the diversity and quality of wines from multiple owners.”
“Montosoli is located in the cooler, northern section of the Montalcino DOCG. What isn’t planted to Sangiovese is forest. It rises from about 825 feet to 1,100 feet in elevation. The northeast-facing side (Altesino) is geologically older, consisting primarily of marl, volcanic schist and limestone. The southeast-facing slope (Caparzo) contains a mix of clay, sand and stones with higher lime content. This results in very different profiles in its wines. It’s also interesting to note that despite facing northeast, the parcels of Altesino’s Montosoli receive more daylight.”
“The Montosoli hill was once submerged beneath the sea. During the past 5 million years, receding and advancing water levels left a complex mélange of soils. Alessandra Angelini, co-CEO of Altesino and Caparzo, describes them as “a complicated patchwork of clays and chalk, marls and schists, with rock and galestro components on the surface. The rocks can be very hard, but at the same time with pores, in which you can find marine fossils and minerals such as quartz.” Bruce Sanderson Wine Spectator
2018 Caparzo La Casa Brunello di Montalcino
$135.95 per bottle – six packs. 120 bottles available
93 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
94 Points Vinous Media
‘The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa is born in a beautiful vineyard with long vistas and warm sunsets. This production of 14,000 bottles ages in oak for two years. You definitely taste the sweet spice and cinnamon from the barrel aging, but the wine also presents a good amount of dark fruit and plum. It ends with soft tannins and even a hint of oaky sweetness that underlines its accessibility.’
