Le Ragnaie, Brunello di Montalcino 2013

60% of the grapes for this blend come from vines at Ragnaie itself, at 550 metres above sea level, the highest vines in Montalcino, complemented by grapes coming from Petroso and Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The wine is aged in large used wooden cask for 36 months.

Le Ragnaie was a rookie estate established by the young Riccardo and Jennifer Campinoti when they bought the farmhouse and some well-placed old vines back in 2003. Since then they have gone on to become one of the region’s brightest new stars. The estate spreads accross15ha, five of which are in the zone where the cellars are based, Le Ragnaie itself. These vines are the highest of any in Montalcino, at 550 metres above sea level, south facing in the central zone above Soldera di Case Basse. As one of the highest points in the region it became famous for bird catchers, in fact the traditional birdcatchers' net features on the label as part of the winery's logo. The estate takes its name from the fact that this net looked rather like a spider's web (Ragna, in Italian.)