Donatella Cinelli Colombini : Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne Selection 2017

A fine Tuscan red wine with a seductive aromatic intensity and smoothness

The estate

Donatella Cinelli Colombini's estate, Casato Prime Donne, is located in Montalcino, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. It is the first wine estate to be staffed entirely by women.

Born into a family of Brunello Di Montalcino producers since the 16th century, Donatella Cinelli Colombini founded her own estate, Casato Prime Donne and the Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda in 1998.

Renowned for her work and the quality of her wines, Donatella Cinelli Colombini was awarded the Oscar for best Italian producer by the Italian Sommelier Association in 2003. She is also one of the 210 producers to be part of the Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino.

Comprising a 40-hectare surface area, 16 of which are planted with vines, the Casato Prime Donne vineyard overlooks the hills of Montalcino and is perched at an altitude of 225 metres.

The wines by Donatella Cinelli Colombini are produced with the utmost rigour and elegantly and authentically reflect the characteristics of this exceptional terroir. The prolonged ageing process gives these fine wines with a promising ageing potential, at the pinnacle of the Italian appellation hierarchy, a rich aromatic palette and a rare elegance recognised by wine critics.

The vineyard

The grapes used in the production of this fine reference among the great Brunello di Montalcino wines stem from a 2.5-hectare plot. Planted in 2001 at an altitude of 225 metres, this south-facing vineyard on poor clay soil produces small grapes that ripen slowly and evenly due to the altitude of this part of the Brunello vineyard. The vineyard has been managed in an organic manner since 2018.

The wine

Donatella Cinelli Colombini's Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Selection has been produced since 1993 with the aim of reasserting the importance of women's taste in the winemaking and selecting processes within a male-dominated wine industry. Thus was born the first Brunello selected by an international female jury.

Each year, the jury decides on the length of the ageing period, the types of barrels to be used and the final blend of the wine, produced only in the finest years. A symbol of courage, ethical values and challenging clichés, this top-of-the-range wine is increasingly popular with consumers and critics alike.

The vintage

Although the winter and spring were particularly dry, an episode of frost at the end of April had an impact on the vineyard and reduced yields. The summer was marked by heat waves over 40°C, punctuated by a drop in temperature in September, which favoured the slow and even ripening of the grapes.

The vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested by hand with the utmost care and are rigorously sorted in the cellar. The wine is vinified in truncated concrete tanks with selected yeasts and mechanical punching downs. Ageing in 5 and 7 hectolitre French oak barrels, made by 3 artisanal workshops. Before bottling without filtration, the juice spends a short period in a concrete tank.

The blend

Sangiovese (100%).

Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne Selection 2017: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Brilliant, this wine is a beautiful ruby red colour.

Nose

The nose combines floral (violet, lavender) and fruity (ripe red berries) fragrances with delicious notes of spice and liquorice.

Palate

Very elegant, this wine seduces the palate with its velvety feel, its fine tannins and its perfect balance between freshness, structure and salinity.

Food and wine pairing

Donatella Cinelli Colombini's Casato Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne Selection 2017 is ideal with roasted meats, game and mature cheeses.

Service

For an optimal tasting experience, we recommend decanting the wine one hour before serving at 18-20°C.

Cellaring

This Tuscan red wine can be cellared until around 2057.