Pian Dell'Orino, 'Vigneti del Versante', Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy, 2019

Overview of the Wine
Pian dell’Orino is one of the shining stars in Brunello di Montalcino. The estate is located right next door to the most famous name in Brunello history, Biondi Santi. This area has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines.

Caroline and Jan run Pian dell’Orino with all of the passion for excellence and purity that one would expect from a great estate dedicated to ecological responsibility and sustainable agriculture. Their love for Tuscany and passion for viticulture particularly binds them to the land, vines and the resulting wines. The wines come from four different vineyards that have a total area of 15 acres.

The wines of Pian dell’Orino, be they the outstanding Rosso di Montalcino that can be enjoyed immediately upon release, or the classic and hauntingly beautiful, age worthy Brunello di Montalcino, are amongst the finest examples of their respective appellations to be found in Montalcino.

The Brunello di Montalcino is made from 100 percent Sangiovese Grosso. Before harvest, the grapes are individually checked on the vines and cluster thinning is done. During harvest, the grapes are checked once more on a large table before being destalked and placed in the fermentation bins. Then the grapes are left to macerate for a certain period, according to the vintage. Spontaneous fermentation starts and the temperature is automatically controlled so that it does not exceed 34C. The must macerates for three to five weeks, depending on the vintage, in order to obtain greater concentration and structure in the young wine. The wine is then transferred to wooden oak barrels of 25 hectolitres (6,600 US gallons), where the malolactic fermentation takes effect. After 2 - 3 years of maturing in the barrels, when the wine becomes stabilized and appears brilliant, it is bottled without using a filter. The wine is left to mature in the bottle for at least one year before labelling and release.

Winemakers
Caroline Pobitzer and Jan H Erbach

Grape / Blend 
100% Sangiovese

Origin
Brunello di Montalcino, Italy 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Serante is born from the grapes of several vineyards, usually Cancello rosso and the lower part of Pian Bassolino.

Each vintage defines a balance that we believe can transcend the sum of its parts. The character, always different but of the well-defined identity, comes to life in the contrasts and tensions that from time to time develop between its many facets. The biggest challenge, like the one you chase in the harmony between the different souls of an orchestra, is the search for a complex harmony that can really leave its mark.

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck 
The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigneti Del Versante is also a jeweled ruby color and is aromatic of kirsch, fresh flowers, sweet herbs, and toasted rosemary. It's full-bodied on the palate, with a compact and concentrated feel, well-defined tannins, and an extraordinarily long finish. As it opens, it continuously evolves in the glass, with pristine notes of licorice shining through, and becomes even more focused and pristine over time. In my book, this wine flirts with perfection and is more than deserving of top marks. Drink over the coming 2-3 decades. (AF) 

97 Points - Vinous
Nuances of dusty florals, rosemary, sage, clove and leather give way to dried strawberry aromas as the radiant 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante blossoms in the glass. It's silky-smooth and deep, displaying extraordinary elegance. Soothingly soft textures, ripe red and blue fruit notes and a kick of vibrant acidity provide fantastic energy. Sweet, crunchy tannins steadily build toward the violet-tinged finale, tapering off with hints of blood orange and spice. In a word, spellbinding. (EG) 

95 Points - Wine Advocate
Slightly more closed or hesitant on first nose, the Pian dell'Orino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante does show strong shoulders and medium-plus fruit concentration. This is a production of 6,302 bottles plus larger formats. This wine needs more time in bottle to properly flesh out, but you already get a clear view of its bright fruit, herbal notes and blue flower. It presents very elegant, broad-brushed aromas that are characteristic of this warm vintage. (ML) 95+