Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 'Colombaio' 2018 Gift Box

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 'Colombaio' 2018 is the cru of Cava d'Onice, named after the family farm bought in 1983. It is 100% Sangiovese from a single 1.1 hectare vineyard at 450 m in Montalcino, Tuscany, and only about 2,000 bottles are made each year. It matures in French oak tonneaux, then in bottle before release. Expect a deep, brilliant ruby wine with a balanced, solid body, smooth tannins and a long finish. It comes in a gift box. Delivered across Ontario.

The producer

Cava d'Onice, in Montalcino, is named after an ancient Etruscan onyx quarry near the Abbey of Sant'Antimo. Colombaio takes its name from the family farm bought in 1983, and its first vintage, 2000, gave just 266 bottles.

The vineyards

The Colombaio vineyard covers 1.1 hectares at 450 m, facing south and south-west, on medium-textured soil rich in clay and calcium. The vines are spurred-cordon trained at 4,000 per hectare, average 28 years old, yield 40 hl/ha and are picked by hand in the last week of September.

How it's made

Fermentation runs 10 days in stainless steel below 30°C, with 28 days on the skins. The wine matures in second-use 500-litre French oak tonneaux, then rests in bottle in a temperature-controlled cellar before release.

How it tastes

A deep, brilliant ruby. The palate is balanced, with a solid body, tannins woven into the fruit and a long finish.

How to serve it

Try it with Chianina beef tartare and white truffle, or tortelli in a rich sauce. It also suits hare pappardelle, wild boar, braised meats and aged cheeses. Serve at 16 to 18°C.