2016 LA COLOMBINA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 750ML

2016 LA COLOMBINA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 750ML

Wine Advocate 93
“La Colombina’s 2016  Brunello di Montalcino takes a classic approach with a fine texture and a steady delivery of aromas that grow cautiously in intensity the longer the wine sits in the glass. This Brunello is stitched together carefully with wild and forest fruit aromas that segue to pressed blue flower, spice and light balsam herb. Released five years after the harvest, according to the Brunello appellation rules, this wine has had the time to integrate and smooth out. There are no hard edges here, and the mouthfeel is silky and polished. This is a classic expression of Brunello that ages in oak for 36 months. Some 17,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”

Wine Spectator 93
“A supple, juicy version, revealing macerated cherry, sandalwood, tobacco, and iron flavors. The bright acidity is matched to well-integrated tannins, giving this red a harmonious feel. Offers a fine, mouthwatering finish. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,400 cases made, 300 cases imported. — BS”

2016 LA COLOMBINA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 750ML
La Colombina, which borders both the Ciacci estate and the Uccelliera estate in the warm southeastern Castelnuovo dellAbate district of Montalcino, has been in the Caselli family for generations. The superior location of the estate is immediately evident in the underlying intensity and weight that is typical of Castelnuovo dellAbate, making wines such as those of Ciacci and Uccelliera so compelling and long-lived.

100 Sangiovese Grosso aged for 30-40 months in large Botti, followed by racking into barrique, where the wine finishes for a brief period of time prior to bottling. About 1200 cases are made each year.

The Estate
La Colombina borders on both the Ciacci and Uccelliera estates in the township of Castelnuovo dellAbate. The vineyards have been in the Caselli family for generations, but the family, proprietors of a winemaking-equipment shop in Montalcino, had always chosen to sell the grapes rather than bottle their own wines. Husband and wife team Anna Maria and Alamiro decided to make the leap into wine production in the mid-90s, and we’re lucky to have 1997 as the first vintage of this estate-bottled Brunello!

The superior location of the estate is immediately evident in the ripe, powerful fruit on the nose, with an underlying intensity and weight that is typical of Castelnuovo debate, making wines that, similar to Ciacci and Uccelliera, are compelling and long-lived. Close in quality to their better-known neighbors, Colombians wines remain a great value, particularly their Rosso di Montalcino, which delivers great Montalcino Sangiovese at a fraction of the cost of other losses.