Bright moderately saturated red. Captivating aromas of red cherry, strawberry nectar and minerals, all complicated by cedar, flinty and herbal notes. Then fresh and juicy, displaying outstanding cut and clarity to the red fruit and herbal flavors, and a multilayered quality that leaves an impression of depth and complexity on the lingering, suave, savory finish. Knockout Brunello that sports 31.8 g/L dry extract and 5.8 g/L total acidity. Owner Francesco Marone Cinzano told me he believes that Nastagio always has greater depth and complexity than the regular Brunello and so it makes sense to bottle it as a separate wine; I could not agree more. Replanted in 2016 with Sangiovese clones developed at the estate, the Nastagio vineyard is characterized by a very clay-rich soil at about 400 meters above sea level. The wine ages three years in mostly 75-hL and 150-hL oak barrels (but unlike the regular Brunello, it spends the first year in 500-liter tonneaux). – I.D.
