Castelgiocondo Brunello

Beef stews, braised meats and aged cheeses.

The CastelGiocondo Sangiovese vines sprouted in the first week of April and continued to grow well, taking advantage of the abundant water reserves left over from 2014 and the normal levels of rain that fell in winter 2015. During the spring and early summer seasons, the weather was dry and sunny, supporting the even growth of the vines. July was very warm and dry with temperatures 5°C higher than the norm. Thanks to our established agronomic practices, such as tilling the land in autumn, green manure sowing and canopy management, the vines were not overly affected by the high July temperatures. In the first week of August, two significant rain showers brought some respite for the plants, reducing temperatures and allowing aromas, anthocyanins and essential tannins to condense.

The wine was then aged in wood containers, where it was able to mature, ripen and develop balance. Five years after the grapes were picked, and only after another period spent ageing in the bottle, CastelGiocondo Brunello is now ready to be placed on the market.

The great care taken in the vineyard, together with the typical characteristics of this unmistakable terroir, resulted in an outstanding harvest. The Sangiovese grapes were picked by hand and carefully selected after arriving in the cellar. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature with frequent pump-overs, particularly during the early stages.

The Marchesi de' Frescobaldi is one of Italy's oldest wineries with a history dating to the 1300s. The family has included medieval knights bankers lawyers and patrons of the arts. The Marchesi de' Frescobaldi is one of the most significant wine producers in Italy with nine estates—and roughly 2 500 acres—in Tuscany. The family has been growing wine since the late 19th century when they became the first in Tuscany to import and plant French vine cuttings. Because they have been producing wines for more than 700 years to experience Frescobaldi is to glimpse the history of Florence from the Middle Ages to the present day. Wine Spectator has ranked many of their offerings in the 90s and their wines are consistently listed in the magazine's Top 100 Wines of the Year encouraging wine enthusiasts from around the globe to become familiar with some of Italy's finest wines.