2021 Fonterenza, Rosso di Montalcino

Sisters Margherita and Francesca Padovani set out in ’97 to form the Fonterenza winery. Their first plots were planted in ’99 and up until 2005. They quickly committed to biodynamic farming and soon after, minimal intervention winemaking (native yeast ferments, long macerations, and ageing in a mix of neutral big botti and used tonneaux). They studied under the late, great Gianfranco Soldera and drew a lot of inspiration from the Case Basse estate, Montalcino’s gold standard. These are soulful, clean wines that we now consider to be among the top 5 to 10 properties in the entire Brunello DOCG. This is an estate to watch closely, and we think it is well worth the price of admission. These so clearly reflect their warm, southern Montalcino terroir, but elegantly manage to remain balanced and precise.