Region: Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Tuscany, Italy

Varietal: 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)

Producer: Val di Suga's history begins in 1969, when agricultural land north of Montalcino — previously used for fodder — was gradually converted to vineyards, with the first wine sold from the 1977 vintage. What distinguishes the estate above all others in the appellation is a geography that no competitor can replicate: Val di Suga is the only producer in Montalcino to own vineyards on the three slopes most suited to top-quality Brunello production — Vigna del Lago to the northeast, Vigna Spuntali to the southwest, and Poggio al Granchio to the southeast — each with different sun exposures, soils, and microclimates. Since 2013, the estate has operated under the Bertani Domains banner, with a clear commitment to expressing each vineyard's distinct character with minimal interference.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The Rosso di Montalcino draws from younger vines across all three estates, blending approximately 40% from Vigna del Lago, 30% from Poggio al Granchio, and 30% from Vigna Spuntali. In the cellar, grapes are destemmed, crushed, and sorted by optical sorter before entering stainless steel tanks for three days of pre-fermentative maceration, followed by eight days of alcoholic fermentation. The wine then rests for six months in large 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels — enough to add structure and roundness without imposing oak character — before a minimum of three months in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes: The 2021 is energetic and clearly defined, with a bright ruby color and a lively nose of cherry, redcurrant, cranberry, and rose petal, framed by hints of medicinal herbs and light spice. On the palate it's medium-bodied and refreshingly taut — zesty orange peel acidity, fine supple tannins, and a vibrant, linear finish that leaves the mouth clean and wanting another sip. This is Montalcino Sangiovese in its most joyful register: not the brooding long-haul Brunello, but the quick-witted younger sibling that's just as smart and considerably more fun at dinner.