{"product_id":"patrizia-cencioni-rosso-di-montalcino-tuscany-italy-2023","title":"Patrizia Cencioni, Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany Italy 2023","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRosso di Montalcino has long been dubbed “Baby Brunello”—a nickname that suggests something lighter, simpler, a step down. But sometimes, when everything lines up, it doesn’t feel like a step down at all. It just tastes like good Brunello. Case in point: today’s brilliant 2023 from Patrizia Cencioni. Most people don’t realize that a lot of Rosso comes from the same fruit, the same parcels, often the same harvest as Brunello—just with less aging. And when it’s coming from a serious producer, the value can be borderline ridiculous. You put your nose in the glass and it’s all there—pure Sangiovese from one of the most hallowed zones in Italy, with that depth, that structure, that unmistakable Montalcino signature. At this price, it’s the kind of bottle you buy by the case and don’t overthink.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTuscany is one of the great wine regions of the world—not just because of its beauty, but because of how clearly it communicates place through Sangiovese. From Chianti Classico’s rolling hills to the warmer expanses of the Maremma, this is a region built on nuance. But Montalcino sits apart. A hilltop village rising above the Val d’Orcia, surrounded by forests, olive groves, and vineyards that catch every angle of the Tuscan sun. The wines here are built on Sangiovese Grosso—a local expression of Sangiovese that brings more depth, darker fruit, and a firmer structure. Brunello di Montalcino is the pinnacle, requiring extended aging and release timelines, while Rosso di Montalcino offers a more immediate window into the same terroir—100% Sangiovese, less time in barrel, earlier release, but when done right, every bit as compelling in its youth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePatrizia Cencioni is one of those estates that flies just under the radar—but once you find it, you don’t forget it. This is a true one-woman-founded property, built from the ground up. Back in 1989, when she was told winemaking wasn’t “women’s work,” she went out and bought a crumbling estate on the slopes of Montalcino and did it anyway—on her own terms. Today, she’s still the driving force, working side-by-side with her daughters, Annalisa and Arianna, farming the land and making the wines as a tight family operation. The vineyards sit high on a windswept plateau—900 to over 1,000 feet up—where constant airflow and elevation help preserve freshness in a place that can otherwise lean warm. The soils are classic Montalcino: galestro, that compact, mineral-rich clay, mixed with friable volcanic rock, giving the wines both structure and that fine, sandy texture in the tannins. Everything is farmed with organic principles, fruit is harvested by hand, and fermentations run on native yeasts before aging in large, traditional botti. There’s no gloss here, no modern overreach—just pure, honest Sangiovese shaped by site and a clear point of view. It’s the kind of estate that reminds you Montalcino is still, at its core, a farming place first.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the glass, the 2023 is vibrant and alive. Crushed cherry, wild strawberry, and red plum lead the way, layered with dried rose, orange peel, and that unmistakable savory edge—brush, earth, a touch of spice. There’s energy here, a lift that keeps everything moving, but also enough structure to remind you where it comes from. The tannins are fine, the acidity is bright, and the finish carries that gentle grip that makes Sangiovese so food-friendly. Give it 20–30 minutes in a decanter and serve just below room temperature. Pair it with pappardelle al ragù, bistecca alla Fiorentina, or something as simple as tomato-braised chicken with herbs. Drink now and over the next 5–7 years—though I wouldn’t blame you for pulling corks early and often.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"North Berkeley","offers":[{"title":"750ml","offer_id":46625318109340,"sku":"CAUB2604-CENCIONE23ROSSO-750","price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0694\/6937\/2572\/files\/PatriziaCencioniRossodiMontalcinoItaly2023-web.png?v=1775247559","url":"https:\/\/thecaubleist.com\/products\/patrizia-cencioni-rosso-di-montalcino-tuscany-italy-2023","provider":"The Caubleist","version":"1.0","type":"link"}