Tito Costanti was a famous count who practiced law and was also a winemaker. In fact, he was one of the most committed figures in the original Montalcino area. As early as 1869 he anticipated today’s DOCG and DOC by introducing a first 5-year old wine called Brunello and using methods surprisingly similar to those used for Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino today. A Renaissance visionary whose legacy has been passed down generation to generation. The current successor isAndrea Costanti, a young descendant who took on the job with no wine experience, but in a short time he had proven himself worthy of his surname by producing a large range of top quality wines characterised by their striking elegance and intensity.
One of his best known wines,Conti Costanti Rosso di Montalcinois a red wine made from 100%Sangiovesefrom high fields in Montalcino, Tuscany. These are old vines on low, sandy soils that grow under the watchful eye of their grower. When the grapes reach optimum ripeness, they are harvested and taken straight to the winery. There, the grapes are selected, destemmed and pressed to begin alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts. The wine is macerated for about 14 days and then aged for a year in a selection of Allier and Slavonian oak barrels.
Although Conti Costanti is one of the most traditional estates in Montalcino, it has maintained its prestige whilst also keeping up with the times. This is clear to see in Conti Costanti Rosso di Montalcino, a deep, original and full of character DOC Rosso di Montalcino red wine which the founder would be very proud of if he were here to see it.
Sensory Features: Sparkling ruby with garnet reflections. Open and elegant nose with the typical bouquet of black berries, plums, sultanas and a little undergrowth. This is joined by a subtle woody sweetness. Straightforward and pithy on the palate. The tannins are prominent, fine-grained and high quality. Spicy flavours, of dark berries again, with well-integrated toasted flavours. Not quite a powerhouse, but rather an elegant, finesse-rich charmer.
Grape Variety: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
Vinification: After harvesting, the grapes of Brunello’s «little brother» are fermented in stainless steel tanks. The young wine is then matured for twelve months in 350-litre French oak barrels.
The twelve-month ageing in Allier barriques gives this garnet-red charmer a slight woody sweetness to add to the flavours of red berries, nuts and sultanas.
Best Served: Simply delicious with a pasta dish or parmigiana di melanzane.
