Le Ragnaie ' Rosso di Montalcino 2019 '

Le Ragnaie is one of Montalcino's most respected, terroir-driven producers, founded in 2002 by Riccardo Campinoti. The estate is located at over 600 meters above sea level—the highest elevation in the entire Brunello appellation—on sandstone, limestone, and clay. Organically certified. The Rosso di Montalcino is the younger brother of the Brunello: from the same Sangiovese vines as the Brunello, but aged for a shorter period and bottled earlier. The perfect entry-level wine to the elegance of Le Ragnaie.

Description: Bright garnet red with aromas of cherry, raspberries, wild herbs, and a finely saline mineral edge. Fresh, juicy, and vibrant on the palate, with granular tannins and a snappy, energetic finish that begs for food.

Pairs well with: Pasta al ragù, wood-fired pizza, grilled meat dishes, or a simple tomato and basil salad.

Fun fact: Montalcino is located at 500 meters, but Le Ragnaie's vineyards are at 600+ meters—too high for the official Brunello DOCG limit of 600 meters. Troncone is therefore IGT; the Rosso and Brunello come from plots slightly lower. An estate that literally pushes the appellation rules to their limit.