The newly released La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 marks yet another high point for this quiet, family-run estate in Montalcino. The 2019 vintage overall is being celebrated for its purity, balance, and aging potential—offering structured wines with great elegance, less opulence than 2015 or 2016, but more classical restraint and aromatic clarity. In this context, La Fornace’s take on the vintage is particularly successful, maintaining the estate’s signature finesse while embracing the vintage’s freshness.
Behind this impressive wine is the Giannetti family, who have been the soul of La Fornace since Giuseppe Giannetti purchased the estate in 1964, after having worked it as a sharecropper. What began with just 2 hectares and half a hectare of vines has evolved slowly and intentionally over three generations. The family’s commitment has always been to quality over quantity, with an ethos rooted in traditional farming and winemaking. When Giuseppe’s children took over in the 1970s, they expanded the vineyards and released their first Brunello in 1988—just 1,000 bottles. Today, under the careful guidance of Fabio Giannetti, the third generation, the estate produces only about 18,000 bottles in top years, though capacity is higher. This deliberate limitation reflects Fabio’s focus: not market pressure or expansion, but the pursuit of excellence and authenticity.
The vineyards are located on the northeast slopes of Montalcino, at around 400 meters elevation, an area known for producing elegant, classically styled Brunellos. Everything at La Fornace is still done by hand—from the rigorous green harvesting and triple sorting at harvest, to spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts and traditional ageing methods. Their Riservas, like the 2019, are produced only in select years from carefully chosen, low-yielding plots. The result is a wine that’s both expressive and refined—a reflection of terroir and tradition, rather than trend or fashion.
While the estate tends to fly under the radar, it’s quietly beloved by serious Brunello enthusiasts who value substance over spotlight. For those who seek wines that speak softly but leave a lasting impression, La Fornace is a rare find. You’ll surprise your “most-know-it-all” wine friends without a doubt.
Comparatively, their Brunello di Montalcino 2010, one of the most acclaimed vintages in recent memory, remains a benchmark for the estate. It combined richness, depth, and remarkable structure—qualities that have aged beautifully over time. Where the 2010 offered power and grandeur, the 2019 leans into grace and nuance, showing the evolution of both vintage and vision. Together, these two vintages—2010 and 2019—demonstrate La Fornace’s quiet mastery: the ability to adapt to each season while preserving a core identity rooted in family, land, and tradition.
IWM is proud to offer on the debut of the 2019 Brunello Riserva a few well-kept bottles of the 2010 Brunello from our Temperature Controlled cellar.
La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 (IWM Exclusive - only 60 bottles available for the US) Special Price $154.99 La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino 2019 750ml Special Price $96.99 La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino 2010 750ml Special Price $144.99
Wines are in our Temperature Controlled Cellar and ready for collection Tenuta Il Poggione — A Pillar of Brunello Tradition
Tenuta Il Poggione stands as one of the historic pillars of Brunello di Montalcino, dating back to the early 20th century. The estate was founded by Lavinio Franceschi, a landowner from Florence, who was captivated by the beauty of Montalcino’s countryside and established the property after visiting the area. It became one of the first producers to bring Brunello di Montalcino to market—helping shape the reputation of this prestigious wine region—and was among the founding members of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium.
The Brunello di Montalcino Style at Il Poggione
Il Poggione’s Brunello di Montalcino is crafted exclusively from 100% Sangiovese, sourced from its oldest vineyards planted at altitudes between 150 and 450 meters above sea level. The wines go through a careful process: hand-harvested grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts using a submerged-cap method in stainless steel at controlled temperatures, followed by malolactic fermentation also in steel. Aging takes place in large French oak casks (ranging from 30 to 50 hl), before the wines undergo further bottle aging to develop complexity and harmony.
Stylistically, Il Poggione’s Brunello is known for its ruby-red color, intense and persistent red fruit aromas, and a warm, balanced palate with velvety tannins and a long finish.
Tenuta Il Poggione represents both historical significance and consistent quality in Brunello di Montalcino. Rooted in early tradition and innovation, the estate combines meticulous vineyard care, thoughtful winemaking, and sustainable practices to produce classic, powerful Brunellos that age with grace. Across vintages—from the structured intensity of the 2011 and 2012 bottles to the captivating charm of the 2018 or the matured elegance of the 2010—Poggione shines as both a benchmark and a surprising value.
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Special Price $129.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2009 Special Price $119.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2010 Special Price $119.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2012 Special Price $99.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2012 1.5L Special Price $199.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2012 3L Special Price $399.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Paganelli 2005 Special Price $149.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Paganelli 2010 1.5L Special Price $399.99 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Paganelli 2015 Special Price $149.99
Wines are in our Temperature Controlled Cellar and ready for collection Tenuta Fuligni — The Essence of Terroir and Tradition
Located on the northeast slopes of Montalcino, Fuligni spans approximately 100 hectares, with around 14 hectares devoted to vineyards, particularly in the “Cottimelli” area at altitudes of 380 to 450 meters. The vineyards are planted with 100% Sangiovese Grosso, in challenging, rocky soils, producing low yields and concentrated fruit.
Fruit from multiple vineyard plots (e.g., S. Giovanni, Il Piano, Il Ginestreto, La Bandita, and others) is vinified separately, respecting each terroir, before blending into the various bottlings—regular Brunello, Riserva, or Rosso (Ginestreto).
Meticulous practices define Fuligni’s approach: hand harvesting, temperature-controlled stainless-steel fermentation, followed by maceration and malolactic fermentation. Aging involves large Slavonian oak casks (20–30 hl) and a smaller share (about 25%) in Allier oak tonneaux (5 hl), crafted by artisanal coopers, some housed in the centuries-old Medici cellars beneath the family’s Palazzo.
Brunello “Regular” vs. Riserva — Fuligni’s Thoughtful Distinction
The Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino “regular” undergoes at least 4 years of aging (typically 2.5–3 years in wood), and is made from carefully selected, low-yielding fruit. It reflects elegance, approachable longevity, and the pure expression of vintage and terroir .
In contrast, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is reserved for exceptional vintages. It’s often made from older vines, aged for a total of 5 years—about 3.5 years in wood—and portrays notable concentration, structure, and an ability to evolve over decades.
The Riserva has become a highly prized collectible, frequently sought after by serious collectors and seen as a sound investment in fine wine circles.
A Portrait of Fuligni’s Brunellos
Regular Brunello from Fuligni offers an elegant and spicy expression of Sangiovese—destined for both early enjoyment and graceful aging alike.
The Riserva, by contrast, is a testament to rarity and refinement—a wine that rewards patience, with depth, concentration, and cellar-worthy aging potential that extends for decades.
These wines embody the Fuligni philosophy: a deep respect for terroir, tradition, and quality over quantity, rooted in centuries of family heritage.
Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 1997 Special Price $299.99 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2013 Special Price $199.99 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2007 Special Price $249.99
Wines are in our Temperature Controlled Cellar and ready for collection Cristom Vineyards: A MidValley Classic Rooted in Terroir
Founded in 1992 by Paul and Eileen Gerrie, Cristom Vineyards stands in the EolaAmity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley, just northwest of Salem. The estate’s name—“Cri-stom”—blends the founders’ names: Christine and Tom.
Winemaker Steve Doerner, recruited from Calera in its inaugural year, has shaped Cristom’s signature style—focused on Burgundian elegance, whole-cluster fermentations, and native yeasts. Cristom farms several iconic singlevineyard sites—Marjorie, Louise, Jessie, and Eileen—each named after family matriarchs, each with unique soil, elevation, and character. These sites yield expressive, site-specific Pinot Noirs, while the Mt. Jefferson Cuvée blends estate fruit with selected partner vineyards to exemplify Cristom's house style.
Cristom is a benchmark of Willamette Valley winemaking—a blend of disciplined viticulture, thoughtful winemaking, and vineyard-driven expression that honors each site’s unique voice.
Cristom Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard 2012 750ml Special Price $99.99 Cristom Estate Syrah 2012 750ml Special Price $69.99 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvee 2017 750ml Special Price $49.99 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvee 2018 750ml Special Price $49.99
NicolasJay: Burgundy Meets Oregon in Graceful Collaboration
NicolasJay emerged from a lifelong friendship between JeanNicolas Méo, a Burgundian winemaker from Domaine MéoCamuzet, and music industry visionary. A visit to Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 2011 reignited their shared fascination with Pinot Noir, ultimately leading to the winery’s establishment.
Their first major step: acquiring the Bishop Creek Vineyard in the YamhillCarlton AVA—an organically farmed, old-vine site rich in character.
NicolasJay is a graceful meeting of Burgundian tradition and Oregon opportunity—where refined techniques, hope for expressive vineyards, and storytelling converge to shape elegant, nuanced wines.
Nicolas Jay Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2016 Special Price $79.99
Wines are in our Temperature Controlled Cellar and ready for collection |
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