Brunello di Montalcino La Serena 2021 (750ML)

Brothers Andrea and Marcello Mantengoli farm La Serena organically, just east of Montalcino at about 400 meters, on loose soils of clay, sand and marl. In 2021, spring frost trimmed the crop early, then a warm, settled summer broken by brief August showers carried the Sangiovese to full ripeness and an early-October harvest at 14.5% alcohol. Fermentation is in stainless steel, followed by up to 30 months in large, neutral French oak casks of 20 to 40 hectoliters, which frame the fruit rather than flavor it. About 30,000 bottles were made. The color is a dark, bright ruby, and the nose layers crushed black cherry and wild strawberry over dried tobacco and a smoky, ashy stone note. Fine-grained tannins and a tart-berry snap give the finish real tension. Serve it with pappardelle al cinghiale, bistecca alla fiorentina, or roast pork loin with fennel.