Rosso di Montalcino is typically described as a "Baby Brunello." While technically that is the case—the region shares the same borders and the same grape variety, differentiated only by yield and aging requirements—I find it leads to a disingenuous connotation for such a delicious wine. To simply call it "lesser than" is doing the wine a grave injustice.
The DOC was established in 1984 to give producers the flexibility to produce a younger, more approachable wine from Brunello parcels, but that should no longer be its only selling point. These wines have the ability to stand on their own two feet, most now offering the pedigree of Montalcino at a fraction of the price.
While Brunello is an exercise in patience, site, oak, and slow oxygenation, Rosso is an exercise in terroir. Unlike the high-wire acidity of Chianti, Rosso di Montalcino provides a tactile, savory experience. The Sangiovese Grosso clone here offers a broad, Mediterranean shoulder that feels essential during these cold months. It has a grounded, earthy persistence that stands up beautifully to heartier stews and roasted meats.
We are championing these bottles because they represent an honest expression of Sangiovese—vibrant, soulful, and ready to drink tonight. However, many will reward those who tuck them away for 3–5 years, making them an excellent addition to any cellar.
Sesti (Castello di Argiano)
The Sesti family’s vineyards are cooled by breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, resulting in a Rosso that is all about elegance. The 2023 is remarkably bright—expect a nose of crushed violets and blood orange. Sesti’s rosso goes beyond the recommended aging requirements. Sesti’s Rosso is produced with the same meticulous care as their Brunello, using 18 months of oak aging (largely in large Slavonian botti).
Le Ragnaie
Sourced from vineyards reaching nearly 600 meters, Le Ragnaie owns the highest altitude vineyard in the region. This is Sangiovese with nerve. It’s lean and chiseled, offering a saline finish that makes it one of the most food-friendly wines in the shop. Not only that, but it is another Rosso whose aging requirement far exceeded that of the DOC, with 24 months in botti.
Fonterenza
The Padovani sisters produce a Rosso that is savory and grounded, with a rustic, herbal edge that sets it apart. It’s a wine of profound texture and "wild" fruit—think forest floor, dried sage, and dark berries. Another wine that far exceeds the aging requirements by a year.
