2021 Rosso di Montalcino

A light rustic note lifts initially from the 2021 Rosso Di Montalcino, but it blows off so quickly and is so well-integrated into the wine, I'm hesitant to even say it was there, since I find it quite attractive. The wine displays a jeweled ruby color and offers notes of pristine candied cherries, ripe tannins that are well-defined, and a lovely lozenge-like feel. It's going to drink well over the coming 10 years. Situated next to the historic Biondi Santi, Jan Hendrik Erbach and his wife Caroline have been consistently raising the bar and making some of the most exceptional wines of the region. As noted at the beginning of the report, the wines are held back an additional year or more, depending on when Jan feels the wines are ready to be released. They work biodynamically in the vineyard and make adjustments with regard to production, only permitting what they feel is the best expression of their property to go into the final wines. Each of the wines for this report were tasted at the estate in Montalcino.

This beautiful wine will be released in March 2025 with 4,666 bottles produced. The Pian dell'Orino 2021 Rosso di Montalcino is extremely focused and precise. It remains a little closed at this young stage, but that quality gives us even more confidence in a successful bottle evolution. Fruit is sourced from various vineyard plots. There is a hint of greenness that should relax with time, and the wine shows tart cherry fruit, rye bread and a hint of red beer.

Just bottled two weeks ago, the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino lifts from the glass with a pretty blend of cedary spices, dried cherries and sage hints. This is cool-toned and racy in feel, with crisp red berry fruits and exotic spice that flourish toward the close. It leaves a coating of fine tannins and a pleasantly chewy sensation while tapering off with ample length and concentration. While incredibly young and still a bit shocked, the 2021 is packed full of potential.