Cortonesi La Manella Riserva Brunello di Montalcino 2015
A little Montalcino Riserva Magic is on the loose!
The Cortonesi family has owned the La Mannella farm in Montalcino for decades and are devoted to the production of Brunello di Montalcino. And lucky for you, in 2015, the Cortonesi clan did it again, producing a supremely intoxicating 2015 Riserva that is saved for only years the vintage deserves it.
And boy did 2015 Tuscany deserve it!
Founded by Marco, and now helmed by his son Tommaso, the Cortonesi’s 40-year-old vines produce fruit of impeccable quality and superior concentration. Throw in a glorious Tuscan summer like Mother Nature did in 2015, and you have the makings for ONE OF THE WINES OF THE VINTAGE!
Sangiovese done right is an absolute thing of beauty, and make no mistake when we say that this beast is an ABSOLUTE BEAUTY!!!
About 300 cases were made of this, and trust that most of it probably stayed in Italy ‘cuz why would you ever give the good stuff away. But somehow we extracted a nice chunk for ourselves and we’ve dialed it at an offer too good to pass up.
Garnet red in color, this is softer and more opulent rendition than its 2016 counterpart, yet still possesses all the power and grace that you’d expect from a Brunello with this pedigree. Finely polished aromas of spiced cherries, plum preserves, marjoram, hints of star anise, orange peel and warm earth make way for a savory mouthfeel rich in red fruits and spiced love on the palate. Additional layers of tobacco, rose petals, crushed rocks, vibrating acidity and an extremely long and supple aftertaste showcase an impressively nuanced Brunello that will be a true highlight anytime you bring it out of the cellar. Sourced from the estate’s best vines, there’s no wonder all this flavor is packed into those tiny concentrated berries!
Throw in the fact it has one 96 and two 95-point scores from the likes of Spectator, Wine Advocate & James Suckling, it seems the big three agree and you have no reason to either!
Just writing this gets my mouth watering, and we even have a bottle open in the office right now, and watching everyone fight for the last drop is somewhat amusing. Speaking of… what am I doing writing when I could be drinking?
Instead of reading… you should be buying!
WS - 96
Alluring, with an opulent profile and velvety texture, this Brunello features lush cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors, allied to a dense, tannic structure. Fresh and dynamic, shows excellent harmony and a long, fruit- and underbrush-infused aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2048. 320 cases made, 150 cases imported.
WA - 95
Softer for sure compared to the 2016 wines, and more abundant in personality, the Cortonesi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Mannella is very expressive of the sunny, warm and luminous growing season. Rich fruit flavors of dark plum, black cherry and cassis are interwoven with spice, sweet tobacco and balsam herb. This wine is fermented in steel for 25 days and is then racked into oak for a long 48-months élevage. This wine is only made in the best years, and it draws its fruit from the estate's oldest vines, which are 37 years old. A mere 3,658 bottles were made. The tannins are a bit bitter and youthful, so give this wine more cellar time. 2024-2045
JS - 95
Alluring, with an opulent profile and velvety texture, this Brunello features lush cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors, allied to a dense, tannic structure. Fresh and dynamic, shows excellent harmony and a long, fruit- and underbrush-infused aftertaste.