Vignavecchia

Vignavecchia

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Made only in select vintages, this is the estate’s smallest and most prized cru. Produced from a tiny, west-facing, 2-hectare (5 acres) vineyard planted on a steep hill in 1988, this is the winery’s oldest and most prized vineyard block.

 

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Climate trend

Difficult vintages are said to reveal the true potential of the best terroirs, and never has this been more true than in the 2017 vintage in Montalcino. The winter was mild and very dry, as was the spring. This led to budding about two weeks earlier than normal. The frost that hit the area in the middle of April caused enormous damage across much of Europe, but thanks to the location of San Polo’s vineyards, with their southern exposure, 450-metre altitude and abundant air circulation, our vines suffered no damage. The summer that followed was marked by elevated temperatures and almost no rainfall, which created difficult conditions for the vines. Again, at this stage, we were able to appreciate the advantages of a particularly well-suited vine growing area, which treated us to daytime breezes and excellent day-night temperature variations, creating conditions that relieved the vines, which showed no symptoms of drought or heat-related stress. The rain that fell between the end of August and the beginning of September, not only restored the land’s water reserves, but it also gave the final ‘go ahead’ for the most important stage in the ripening of Sangiovese, the last month before harvesting.

Vintage rating

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Grape varieties

Grape varieties

Sangiovese 100%

Soil

Vineyard

Vignavecchia - 2 hectares (4.94 acres)

Harvest

Grapes are hand harvested in small 17 kg crates during the first October weeks

Bottle

Size

750 / 1.5 lt / 3 lt

Barrel

Vinification

Soft crushing of the grapes after careful selection of the berries

Ageing

30 months in lightly-toasted  600 litres tonneaux with thick staves. This is followed by at least 6 months of bottle ageing before its market release.

Fermentation

In 600 litres tonneaux

Malolactic fermentation

In 600 litres tonneaux

Awards

90

Wine Spectator

A savory version, boasting juniper, eucalyptus and rosemary flavors, with notes of cherry and orange peel. Compact, bordering on rustic with burly tannins lining the finish. Best from 2025 through 2038. 250 cases made, 30 cases imported.” –Bruce Sanderson
92

Wine Enthusiast

Initially shy, this eventually reveals aromas of forest floor, violet, camphor and leather. The tightly wound palate offers steeped prune, coconut, licorice and espresso set against close-grained tannins that leave a drying close. Give the tannins a few years to unwind, then drink sooner rather than later. — Kerin O’Keffe
94

Wine Advocate

San Polo's 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vignavecchia is packaged with a black label and carries a certification for organic farming. This appears to be the most powerful of the wines in this flight (with 14.5% alcohol), and it has a dark garnet appearance and a full-bodied mouthfeel. However, this wine is very different than the others in that it presents a much sweeter, fruit-forward bouquet and it does not deliver the same balsam intensity that we saw in the Podernovi. Those herbal notes are present, but the is ample fruit to soften them out. This had a limited 3,300-bottle production.
95

James Suckling

This shows old-vine character of mushroom and bark that leads to red fruit and black cherry flavors. It’s full- bodied with firm and chewy tannins that are polished and very long. It’s tannic yet not overly so and maintains integrity and focus. Better after 2023.
  • Rubio
  • Rosso di Montalcino
  • Amphora Vignamasso
  • Brunello di Montalcino
  • Riserva
  • Podernovi