Castelgiocondo Brunello 1.5L

Beef stews, braised meats and aged cheeses.

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.

The 2018 season was characterised by a cool and rainy winter, followed by normal budding. The spring was rainy during the flowering period, which slowed the fruit set, naturally lowering the productive potential of the plants. The summer was dry, with little rain, but thanks to the water reserve created in the spring, the vines were not distressed. These conditions allowed for typical veraison and excellent maturation, while the cool nights were ideal for developing the colour and aromas. In mid-September, the north wind caused a drop in temperatures. This cool and windy yet sunny season was particularly ideal for the Sangiovese grapes, which were able to complete their maturation with great aromatic and polyphenolic potential. By harvest time, the grapes were healthy, intact, and perfectly balanced.

The wine was then aged in large wooden barrels, where it was able to mature and become more refined until it achieved perfect harmony. CastelGiocondo Brunello is only ready to be placed on the market 5 years after the harvest and following further ageing in the bottle.

Such a regular climate trend meant that the grapes could be harvested by hand without any particular difficulties, undergoing a thorough selection process on the sorting benches once they reached the cellar. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, with frequent pumping over, especially during the early stages.