Brunello di Montalcino “Ugolforte” DOCG 2021 (BIO)

Tenuta San Giorgio | Tuscany
Collemassari S.p.A. s.a. | Via Di Porta Pinciana 6 | IT 00187 Roma

29642221 · 0,75 l · 57,33 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Ugolforte was a resistance fighter. In the 12th century, he led the people of Montalcino against the Sienese occupying forces – a local hero whose name lives on to this day: in a Brunello. The most striking contradiction dates back to 2010. That was when Tenuta San Giorgio began officially supplying the Ugolforte to the Pontifical Swiss Guard – that 500-year-old corps which guards the Pope in the Vatican. The estate says that shared values, and the symbolism of St George himself – virtue and courage, good triumphing over evil – guided the decision. The wine of the medieval rebel in the service of Christendom's oldest army.

The estate is situated in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, in the south-east of Montalcino, overlooking the Val d'Orcia. The soils are complex: dense clay for depth and colour brilliance, porous tuff for freshness and body, and iron-rich red soils at the highest elevations for slow, even ripening. Organically farmed, hand-harvested, with vines aged between 20 and 25 years at altitudes of 250 to 400 metres. In the cellar, the estate's philosophy is evident: slow fermentation, extended ageing in large Slavonian oak barrels, and minimal intervention.

2021 was a classic vintage in Montalcino – dried herbs, minerality, fine tannins, a long, juicy finish. A brilliant ruby red. On the nose: cherry, wild herbs, spices and minerality. On the palate, full-bodied yet of medium body, supported by fine tannins and lively freshness, with a long, elegant finish. A Brunello with the character of its name – powerful and silky at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"An appealing bouquet with notes of raspberries and undergrowth, as well as lilac; a smooth palate, a velvety texture, with the acidity very well integrated, and a reliably fruity finish." Vinum

"Refined, complex, well-aged, with plenty of tertiary aromas. Full-bodied, racy, with plenty of power and body. Powerful tannins, slightly metallic acidity; very good balance and finesse, a little more fullness in the mid-palate would help." Weinwisser

"An excellent Brunello with notes of dried herbs, minerals, grapefruit and raw spices. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a long, luscious finish." James Suckling

"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte is characterised by a deliberately approachable style with dark, concentrated flavours and sweet blackberry aromas, and is intended for short- to medium-term enjoyment. The wine matures in large Slavonian oak barrels and spends some time in concrete tanks. It impresses with its texture and open-structured tannins, which lend it a lively and food-friendly profile. Produced by the same team behind 'Poggio di Sotto' – one of the benchmarks for age-worthy wines from Montalcino – this cuvée focuses on immediacy without compromising on balance." Wine Advocate

"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte seduces the senses with a hint of freshly split pinewood, followed by notes of dusty roses, a touch of worn leather and dried black cherries. Silky smooth on the palate, it captivates with its harmonious character and refined aromas of red berries that delight the senses. Supple and masterfully balanced, the 2021 vintage leaves an impression of concentrated blackberry, underscored by a distinct mineral note. The Brunello di San Giorgio improves in quality with every vintage." Vinous