About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Riserva is traditionally made from the oldest Tenuta Greppo vineyards, using vines more than 25 years old. The 2019 came exclusively from a selection of grapes grown in the estate's oldest proprietary parcels.
Grapes
Sangiovese Grosso.
Vinification
The 2019 was vinified in oak casks, concrete and stainless-steel vessels. Fermentation relied exclusively on indigenous yeasts originating in the proprietary vineyards.
Ageing
The wine matured for 28 months in Slavonian oak casks. Bottles representing every Riserva vintage are subsequently refined in La Storica, the dark, secluded wine library at the heart of Tenuta Greppo's cellar. There they rest without labels in vintage-specific cells, with beeswax sealing the cork to limit oxidation.
Technical data
The 2019 contains 13.5% alcohol. Harvest began on 14 September 2019.
Tasting profile
The 2019 is restrained and balanced. Its precise bouquet combines cherry and pomegranate with dried flowers, wild herbs, restrained balsamic tones and spice. Vibrant acidity and finely textured, integrated tannins shape a taut, incisive palate. Moderate weight leads into a clean, proportionate and notably persistent finish, with the structure for many years of development.
Vintage notes
A cold, rainy spring slowed shoot growth and delayed flowering in 2019. June and July were hot and dry, although northerly winds brought several cooler days around the middle of July, followed by a refreshing storm. August remained hot and dry before late-month rain created favourable ripening conditions immediately ahead of harvest.
Label / history
First made in 1888, Riserva was the first Brunello di Montalcino. Only 40 vintages were released between 1888 and the publication of the current presentation, and production is extremely limited.
A bottle leaves La Storica only when sold. It is then dressed with its vintage's original label and the numbered neck label known as la lunetta; the departure date is handwritten on the back label. A bottle that has previously been topped up and recorked receives a neck certificate recording the reconditioning.
