VAL DI SUGA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO VIGNA DEL LAGO 750ML 2019

Surrounding Val di Suga’s cellar in Montalcino’s northeast, Vigna del Lago is cooled by winds from the north and hemmed in by cypress trees. At 280 metres, the vines sit on clay soil. For this bottling, ageing is in 40-hectolitre Slavonian oak casks. Characterised by lightness, tightness and a slight reduction at the moment, it opens up with dark cherry and alpine herbs. The fine-boned frame packs in cranberry and currants with traces of blood orange and forest roots. Vertical tannins occupy the mid-palate, and the finish is driven by lively citrussy acidity. That austerity says ‘wait!‘.

Sporting a new label design, the Val di Suga 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Lago comes from an 18-hectare vineyard with clay soils at a moderate 280 meters above sea level. This does indeed show a precise mineral note that stands out, but you also get dark fruit, rich Morello cherry and a pretty herbal end note. The wine is very Mediterranean in spirit with a rich mouthfeel, sweet but solid tannins and balanced freshness. You can't go wrong with this textbook Brunello. This is a 12,000-bottle release.