Forum: News and lifestyle

BRUNELLO RISERVA 2018 IN THE TOP 10 BY VINUM

NEW SUCCESS FOR BRUNELLO RISERVA 2018 BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI , AMONG THE TOP 10 CHOSEN BY VINUM MAGAZINE AND THE GREAT CHRISTIAN EDER

Vinum top 10 Brunello Riserva 2018 di Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Vinum top 10- Brunello Riserva 2018 by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Vinum is the most important wine magazine in German. This magazine often dedicates monographic issues to a region with profiles of characters and tastings. In this case the protagonist of the magazine is Tuscany. Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini newly elected President of the Movimento Turismo del Vino – Wine Tourism Movement is among the profiles described at the beginning while our Brunello Riserva 2018 is among the 10 TOP wines of this type.

VINUM AND CHRISTIAN EDER

As always, the scores are not very high, German culture is always sparing in its judgments and does not reach 1000/100 with the same enthusiasm as American critics. For Germans, perfection is a philosophical concept that almost requires something close to a miracle.

For this reason, the TOP 10 of Brunello Riserva 2018 are between 96 and 94 out of 100, that is, closely positioned. Overall, the best Brunello Riservas proposed by Vinum are 25 and three of them come from the area where Casato Prime Donne is located. A circumstance that demonstrates the growth in the qualitative potential of this corner of Montalcino which, twenty years ago, was too cool and now manages to express itself at a high level even in rainy years like 2018.

25 November 2024

WHICH WHITE VARIETY SHOULD BE PLANTED AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE?

TASTING OF 16 NATIVE TUSCAN WHITE WINES AND A LABORATORY OF IDEAS FOR CHOOSING THE VARIETIES TO PLANT. ROBERTO BELLINI NEXT TO DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S STAFF

Donatella Cinelli Colombini is in serious difficulty choosing the white grape variety to plant and proceeds by trial and error. Like many Tuscan producers, she wants to have vineyards able to produce high-profile white wines capable of establishing themselves on the market. Everyone is aware that, in our region, there are areas suited to the production of great white wines which must be identified and characterized with the use of the most suitable grape variety.

Vini bianchi diversi per scegliere il vitigno da piantare alla Fattoria del Colle

16 diversi vini bianchi in degustazione provenienti da diversi vitigni toscani

TUSCAN PRODUCERS IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT WHITE

But everyone goes on their own.

And in this way, it will take decades to understand the right path.

There is no connection between the ongoing experiments that allows us to identify excellence, above all there is no study on the different types of Tuscan Trebbiano or other native white grape varieties that identifies those with greater potential.

One wonders why the two Universities of Agriculture and Oenology in Tuscany have not begun. This would speed up the identification of the best clones and the best areas, perhaps with a view to the creation of a new denomination.

While Tuscany is still stuck on white wines, the other major wine regions have already moved forward. Piedmont has relaunched itself with Alta Langa and Derthona, Lombardy has Franciacorta and Lugana, not to mention Veneto with the Prosecco phenomenon. Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino have always had a prevalence of high-end white wines.

18 November 2024

THE DAY OF THE BIBENDA AND AIS AWARDS

ON 19 NOVEMBER AIS - GUIDA VITAE AWARDS IN FLORENCE AND BIBENDA IN ROME. HERE IS THE SPECTACULAR PALMARÈS OF DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI'S WINES...

15 November 2024

BRUNELLO 2020 JAMES SUCKLING 93/100

AS ALWAYS, THE FIRST RATING ON THE NEW BRUNELLO COMES FROM JAMES SUCKLING, THE AMERICAN CRITIC WHO WAS THE FIRST GREAT FLAG-BEARER FOR BRUNELLO IN THE USA...

7 November 2024

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2020 ORGANIC

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE MONTALCINO VINEYARDS LINE UP THREE 5 STAR HARVESTS ONE AFTER THE OTHER. 2020 IS PERHAPS THE ONE WITH THE GREATEST HARMONY AND INTENSITY

A circumstance that has never happened before which confirms the extraordinary vocation of the Brunello area for the cultivation of Sangiovese, its only grape variety. The favourable effect of the new climate which multiplied the excellent harvests was also confirmed.

However, 2019 and 2020 have different characteristics that enthusiasts will be able to enjoy comparing.

2020 A YEAR AND A BRUNELLO TO REMEMBER

In 2020, the year of Covid, there was a spring frost (18-23 March) which drastically reduced the grapes in the vineyards.

After a mild and arid winter, June was very rainy while from mid-July to the end of August the heat was never interrupted by storms. The good weather continued in September until the harvest when the disturbances began to arrive. The rain circled around leaving Casato Prime Donne dry until September 25th when the harvest was almost completed. That day there was a real downpour but, fortunately, almost all the grapes were already in the cellar.

The 2020 Sangiovese grapes were perfectly ripe, healthy, with well-lignified seeds, small berries and the typical crunchiness of great vintages.

31 October 2024

DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S MEDAL COLLECTION

THE FAMOUS AMERICAN WINE CRITIC JAMES SUCKLING FILLS THE PALMARES OF OUR WINES WITH EXCELLENT SCORES FOR SUPERTUSCAN, ORCIA AND PASSITO. NOT JUST BRUNELLO

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini #winedestination

James Suckling Brunello Riserva 2018 Donatella Cinelli Colombini

When we show our “medal collection” with the scores obtained by our wines to producers, journalists and buyers… everyone’s eyes open wide in surprise. For a small estate like ours, having 9 and often 10 wines with scores above 90/100, from the most authoritative wine press in the world, is something incredible. It highlights the enormous work of the entire company: in the vineyards, in the cellar and even in the offices.

If they then ask us <<are these the best scores you have obtained on each wine?>> and we proudly reply <<they are just the scores of the wines currently on sale>> I see a murderous light in the eyes of our fellow producers.

This is because we only have 33 hectares of vineyard and to obtain these results we need to transform every bunch of grapes into a high-level wine. A very, very difficult thing.

Just as it is difficult to get the wine critics who count to taste all the wines, that is, not just Brunello di Montalcino. Great tasters are overwhelmed by bottles to taste. Sometimes Monica Larner publishes photos of the stacks of bottles she has to rate and they are truly impressive.

25 October 2024

OFFER: WINES FOR THE FESITIVITIES AND CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Spumante Brut Rosé 2020 preview and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 late vintage release, to give prestige to Christmas gifts and meals at €299.00

For you 2 exclusive wines, produced in very small series and intended for a small number of connoisseurs.

For this offer an excellent Tuscan style Spumante designed to accompany the entire meal. It is a Metodo Classico rosé Brut obtained from organically grown Sangiovese grapes

The offer also includes bottles of the late release Brunello di Montalcino 2018, each numbered and wrapped separately.

A unique opportunity for true wine lovers who want to receive two 100% Sangiovese wines produced in Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s wineries, ideal for Christmas and New Year celebrations but also for making very exclusive gifts.

OFFER FOR MEMBERS OF DONATELLA’S CLUB

2 bottles of Spumante Metodo Classico Rosé millesimato BIO 2020

4 bottles of Brunello 2018 late vintage release BIO

2 cotton sachets customized with the Donatella Cinelli Colombini logo

DURATION OF THE OFFER

The offer ends on November 8, 2024

17 October 2024

GOLD MEDAL FOR VIN SANTO IN THE BRUXELLES COMPETITION

340 COMPETITORS FROM 23 COUNTRIES TASTED BLINDLY AND DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI’S VIN SANTO WINS THE GOLD MEDAL, ENTERING THE WORLD’S ELITE OF SWEET WINES

Vin Santo del Chianti Doc di Donatella Cinelli Colombini medaglia d'oro al Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

GOLD MEDAL CONCOURS MONDIAL DE BRUXELLES VIN SANTO 2009

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini #winedestination #brunellodimontalcino

<<We are pleased to inform you of the results obtained from the product you presented at the CMB Concours Mondial de Bruxelles – Sweet & Fortified Wines Session 2024 which took place from 1 to 2 October. This year, a total of 340 wine samples were subjected to the judgment of our jury of international professionals>> and Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s Vin Santo del Chianti DOC won the Gold Medal.

With this simple email we received the news of an unexpected and very welcome recognition for our Vin Santo.

A MINI SERIES OF 500 SMALL BOTTLES CONTAINING SWEET NECTARS

From the graphs accompanying the letter it is possible to see that our wine was tasted blind by a panel of six tasters including 3 Belgians, 2 Portuguese and one Dutch. The thing that struck them most was the persistence of the Vin Santo which is, on the palate, the most evident character followed by balance and acidity.

On the nose, the tasters noticed more of the aroma of walnut/dried fruit as well as honey, while the balsamic notes appeared more nuanced.

10 October 2024

BRUNELLO HARVEST 2024, A MASTERPIECE

PLENTIFUL WONDERFUL GRAPES WITH OLD STYLE RIPENING WHICH, THANKS TO THE WEATHER FORECAST AND HARVEST TECHNOLOGY, ARRIVED IN THE CELLAR IN PERFECT CONDITIONS

by #donatellacinellicolombini

Brunello-Montalcino-vendemmia-2024-casato-prime-donne

Brunello-Montalcino-harvest-2024-casato-prime-donne

For the first time, in many years, the ripening of the grapes was what winemakers dream of: the ripening of the pulp of the grapes (technological) and that of the skins (polyphenolic) occurred simultaneously and completely.

Average 13% alcohol, lignified seeds, small berries and bunches, good content of noble substances, acidity and PH just below perfection… And lots of grapes.

At the beginning of September no one was hoping for such a spectacular result, in fact everyone was pessimistic because the weather forecast was terrible.

CHRONICLE OF THE 2024 HARVEST: FROM PESSIMISM TO JOY

After 60 days of scorching temperatures in July and August, with temperatures of 37°C during the day and 22 at night, the vines are still. Veraison is slow and ripening does not seem to progress. Then the weather changes suddenly and a very rainy month begins: from early September to early October, around 200 mm of rain falls. It’s cold and at night the thermometer drops to 10°C.

Managing a climate of this kind is very difficult: you need a team of very good agronomists, grape growers and oenologists, excellent harvesting technology and a pinch of luck. We have all this and in fact we produce an amazing harvest.

3 October 2024

5 GRAPPOLI BY GUIDA BIBENDA 2025

Bibenda premia con 5 grappoli il Brunello Prime Donne 2019

Bibenda awards 5 grappoli to Brunello Prime Donne 2019

BRUNELLO PRIME DONNE 2019 WINS THE 5 GRAPPOLI BY FIS – BIBENDA GUIDE AND WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE AWARDS CEREMONY AND GREAT WINE PARTY AT THE HOTEL ROME CAVALIERI

It is nice to receive the invitation to the most charming Wine event organized for the award ceremony of the wines awarded 5 grappoli ( bunches) in the BIBENDA 2025 guide. An event with an exclusive direction and full of affection dedicated to Italian producers. Franco Ricci, the great boss of Bibenda FIS – Italian Sommelier Foundation, calls it the Embrace Festival because it allows the best producers from all over Italy to meet again and share a beautiful moment.

NUMBERS OF THE BIBENDA GUIDE

The BIBENDA GUIDE is consulted by a million people. Its 27th edition 2025 contains 2,200 wineries and 15,000 wines. A complete repertoire of Italian production told and explained with care and precision. The award ceremony for the wines who have received the maximum score consisting of 5 grappoli (bunches) will take place on Saturday 16 November 2024 in the lounge of the Hotel Rome Cavalieri with the tasting of all the awarded wines.

27 September 2024

OFFER: RISERVA SUPER VERTICAL FOR THANKSGIVING

Receive 2 bottles of Brunello Riserva of each of the 2018, 2016 and 2015 vintages at your home for €399.00

A unique opportunity for true wine lovers who want to receive 3 premium wines to open for important occasions such as festivities to serve with delicious dishes, or to organize a nice tasting with 3 vintages to be compared.

The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva by Donatella Cinelli Colombini is a great, extremely balanced and fine wine, which comes from a small vineyard of the Casato Prime Donne di Montalcino, the first winery in Italy with an all-female staff.

WHAT MAKES THE RISERVA SPECIAL

All Brunellos are able to last many years in the bottle, but Brunello Riserva is one of the greatest red wines in the world created for very long cellaring.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini produces Brunello Riserva in the Casato Prime Donne winery in Montalcino, Tuscany,

Super Verticale di Brunello Riserva

only in the best years and choosing by hand, one by one, the best bunches of Sangiovese grapes. A slow and careful way of working that allows only perfect grapes of the same level of ripeness to be sent to the cellar.

Before the harvest, the vineyards are divided into small parcels based on the tasting of the grapes. The area with the greatest qualitative potential is destined for the production of Brunello Riserva. The selection is made by tasting the grapes, just as was done a century ago, the laboratory analysis confirms the decision. Generally, the best grapes come from the Ardita vineyard, planted and cultivated at the highest point of the vineyards around the property.

19 September 2024

NOVEMBER WEEKEND WITH WHITE TRUFFLE AND GREAT TUSCAN WINES

NOVEMBER 2024 WEEKEND IN TUSCANY FOR WHITE TRUFFLE HUNTING IN THE WOODS, TO TASTE IT AND LEARN HOW TO COOK IT, VISIT THE CELLARS AND TASTE BRUNELLO

White truffle from the Crete Senesi

Have you wondered what makes the white truffle of Alba and that of the Crete Senesi so valuable? Both are born in the territories where great red wines are made: Barolo and Brunello. Both contain very little garlic aroma. In the sixteenth century the white truffle was called “garlic of the rich” due to its acute component which, however, in the most prized types, is very delicate. A character perceivable both on the nose and in the mouth, where the taste is more harmonious, almost “honey-like”.

Obviously, the quality of the white truffle is at its peak immediately after its extraction from the ground and rapidly decreases as the days pass. This is why true truffle lovers come to eat it in the place of production and want it freshly “dug out”. In 2024 the summer was very hot and low in rainfall, this reduced the production of white truffles which will therefore be rare and (I fear) expensive. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive and delicious fruit of the earth, come and experience a truffle weekend in Tuscany, at Fattoria del Colle.

13 September 2024

MONTALCINO SEPTEMBER 14TH CASATO PRIME DONNE AWARD 2024

Maria Canabal's quote to Montalcino and many young people destined to become positive examples for their peers: artists, pastry chefs, goldsmiths and students...

30 August 2024