2018 Podere Le Ripi 'Cielo d'Ulisse' Brunello di Montalcino

Aromas of dried cherry, espresso bean, leather, and clove lead into a savory, mid-weight palate. Flavors of black cherry, fig, and blood orange mesh with accents of licorice, white pepper, and crushed stone. The texture is chalky and firm, balanced by intense, persistent acidity and a long, earthy finish.

Hand-harvested Sangiovese undergoes spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in large open-top wooden vats, including extended skin contact. The wine ages for 36 to 42 months in large oak barrels (botti), followed by additional resting in cement tanks before bottling without heavy manipulation.

Grapes are grown on a single-vineyard parcel in the far southwestern zone of Montalcino, near the Ombrone River. The site is certified organic and biodynamic, planted in alluvial soils composed of silt, sand, and clay strewn with galestro and alberese stones. Situated at lower elevations but surrounded by dense forest, the vineyard experiences cool microclimates that yield a fresher, more lithe expression of Sangiovese.