Brunello Prime Donne 2010: a dream come true
Donatella Cinelli Colombini presents her Brunello 2010 Prime Donne. It is produced only in exceptional years such as 2010: the best vintage in the last 100 years
Brunello 2010 Prime Donne Cinellicolombini
As all great red wines produced the world over Brunello is gratifying when young and when it is older. This characteristic is evident in the 2010 vintage more than any previous harvest.
Montalcino is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to produce a great wine with just one varietal, the Sangiovese. This is a magical rapport between nature, microclimate and the grape-growers that brings differing results every year and sometimes reaches perfection and that is what happened in 2010.
In 2010 the winter and the spring hydrated the soil in depth with rain and snow. For this reason the high temperatures in July did not create any problems for the vines that actually reached harvest time with the frond were still in Extremely rare situation but very favourable. In 2010 the grape clusters were small, sound, and with small grapes with lignified seeds
The Brunello Prime Donne is produced only in the best vintages. It is the estate flagship and represents its commitment in favour of equal opportunities for women in the wine world. It in fact is made in a winery staffed only by women and is selected by a group of four expert female tasters who decide in which barrels it is to be aged and the final assembling. These are the English Master of Wine Maureen Ashley, the Italo-American Pr Marina Thompson, the German wine store owner Astrid Schwarz and one of the best Italian sommeliers Daniela Scrobogna.
Type: dry red.
Production area: Tuscany, Montalcino, Casato Prime Donne.
Vintage characteristics: winter and spring with lots of rain. The great amount of water in the soil delayed the veraison (changing in colour of the grapes) and so forecasting a delay in the harvest which actually did not happen. The final ripening of the grapes was perfect
Grape type: 100% Sangiovese
Grape Harvest: From September 2nd to 25th. The grapes were handpicked and carefully chosen in the vineyards and select in the cellar on the sorting table.
Vinification: In truncated cone shaped temperature controlled stainless steel vats open on top, and with a plunger. From 20 to 25 days fermentation and maceration with the skins in contact with the must. Excellent extraction of polyphenols, the seeds were perfectly lignified, all of this due to the perfect ripening both from an analytical point of view, like the sugar content and the acidity, and considering the ripeness of the tannins
Barrel ageing: we have used containers made of oak form the Massif Central in France and from Slavonia in increasing sizes, from 7 hl up to 15 for about two and a half years.
Quantity produced: 6,600 bottles.
Colour: intense ruby red, with a brilliant middle. The wine dances slowly in the glass creating arches.
Brunello 2010 Prime Donne Cinellicolombini
Aroma: fine, clean, complex, with evident hints of ripe small red fruits, and spices.
Taste: extremely harmonious, deep and elegant. The concentration, the richness and the structure appear to be so well balanced and gratifying .The taste remains pleasantly at length in the mouth.
Matching dishes: important meat dishes, aged cheeses
Way of serving: Room temperature (18-20°C). Use balloon shaped crystal wine goblets. Preferably open one hour before serving
Home ageing: 25 years or more. Keep the bottles lying down in a dark and cool place. Have the corks changed in Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s winery around the year 2035.