CLIMATE : The spring was cool and wet, and growers had to be vigilant against disease. The summer was uneven, with some cool periods in August and no heat spikes. A good September helped conclude the ripening period, and the bunches remained healthy.
CONSORZIO DEL BRUNELLO RATING: 4 stars
HARVEST : first and second week of October
GRAPE: 100% sangiovese grosso
VINIFICATION: Light pressing, fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 28-30° with racking and delestage, maceration 21-25 days
AGEING: 36 months in wood, French oak barrels 20 hl, the final two years in bottle.
PRODUCTION: 2,600 bottles
ANALYSIS: Alcool svolto(%): 14,53, Acidità totale (g/lt.): 5,7, Acidità volatile (g/lt.):0,42, SO2 Totale (mg/lt.): 109, SO2 libera (mg/lt.) 24, pH: 3,50, Estratto secco netto (g/lt.) 33,7
DESCRIPTION: Gualto is a wine that has considerable ageing potential by virtue of the outstanding quality of its raw material, which was carefully selected in the vineyard. Even after ten years, the wine’s original elegance will still be present.
The fabric and elegance of this wine, as a result of clonal selection, choice of terrain, as well as thinning out of the vines before and during the harvest, make it suitable for long ageing. It will be interesting to open a bottle after some years with the trepidation of the wait and of the emotion of discovery to experience magical sensations
GASTRONOMIC ACCOMPANIMENTS: No particular pairings are necessary even if the complexity of the bouquet and the importance of the structure make it perfect for important occasions
The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gualto (with 2.600 bottles made) is a firmly textured wine that needs extra bottle time to relax and unwind. This youthful expression is still somewhat firm and stubborn with linear tones of black fruit, spice, smoke and camphor ash. This wine ages in 20-hectoliter botte for 36 months and evidently needs more time to soften and evolve.
Monica Larner
93
Bright red-ruby. Perfumed aromas and flavors of red cherry, violet, underbrush, licorice and sweet spices. Clean, round and fleshy in the mouth, with sweet red cherry nuances lingering nicely on the long, refined finish. Though brimming with early appeal, it’s worth laying away in your cellar and enjoyed over the next fifteen years or so.
Ian D'Agata
2021-2026
93
“Offers a clear expression of cherry flavors, with hints of plum and strawberry, augmented by leather, tobacco and almond hints. A dense matrix of acidity and tannins lifts all the elements, while the aftertaste lingers. Excellent harmony. Best from 2022 through 2040.” - BS
93
“This has an array of savory spices with cedar, herbs and dried-berry aromas, leading to a palate that has a bright, fresh array of blue fruit. Neat and approachable Brunello. Drink or hold.”
James Suckling
91
