Wines Brunello di Montalcino Col Orcia - 2019

Viniou Reviews

Col Orcia’s 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a fine embodiment of Tuscan winemaking, sourced from the revered comune of Montalcino. This wine is crafted exclusively from the Sangiovese grape, locally known as Sangiovese Grosso, which is distinctive for its capacity to express both power and elegance. The 2019 vintage benefited from a long, balanced growing season, resulting in grapes harvested with optimum ripeness and freshness. Vinification typically involves a lengthy maceration and ageing in large Slavonian oak casks, allowing the wine’s structure and aromatics to integrate harmoniously while showcasing the variety’s signature notes of dark cherry, plum, dried herbs and hints of tobacco or underbrush.

The region of Montalcino sits in the heart of southern Tuscany, benefitting from a Mediterranean climate moderated by coastal breezes and sheltered by the Amiata mountain. These conditions, paired with a patchwork of soils ranging from galestro marl to limestone and clay, favour the slow ripening of Sangiovese grapes, delivering both complexity and intensity in the resulting wines. Brunello di Montalcino as a DOCG has a storied history, first produced in the late nineteenth century and now celebrated worldwide for its ability to age gracefully while offering an authentic taste of Tuscan terroir.

For the 2019 Col Orcia Brunello, food pairings should revolve around richly flavoured dishes that can complement the wine’s robust structure. Traditional Tuscan fare such as wild boar ragù with pappardelle or bistecca alla fiorentina (grilled T-bone steak) are natural companions. Aged pecorino cheese, roast lamb or earthy mushroom-based dishes would also be excellent matches, amplifying the wine’s depth and savoury nuances.

When serving, allow the Brunello to breathe—decanting for an hour will help the aromatics unfurl. The ideal tasting temperature is 16-18°C, which highlights both its fruit purity and subtle tertiary notes. Enjoying this wine over a long meal is sure to be a memorable experience, whether now or after further cellaring.