2021 J. G. Benda, Brunello di Montalcino

John Benda established his estate in the high-altitude woods of Montalcino, transitioning from a career in finance to farming two small, secluded vineyard parcels after acquiring the land in 2019. These vines, planted in the 1990s and 2006, sit at elevations over 500 meters in soils defined by rocky galestro, limestone, and quartzose-feldspathic siltstone, and are made from 100% Sangiovese. The resulting wine offers clear notes of red cherry, fresh herbs, and a focused mineral tension, supported by a polished, silky tannic structure. The 2021 vintage provided warm, dry conditions that allowed for complete phenolic ripeness, lending the wine both its vibrant acidity and structural longevity. This is a focused, elegant expression of the appellation that is built for the cellar but rewards those who appreciate balance and precision.