BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
2013 Riserva Fuligni
Delicately floral, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva slowly awakens in the glass, coy at first, with a subtle mix of mint leaf and dried strawberry. Further coaxing brings out a seductive darkening effect, as the fruit evolves to black cherry, complicated by a whiff of incense, sage and spiced cedar. This is a model of purity, with textures of pure silk and polished red berry fruits that flood the palate. A burst of zesty acidity and sour citrus adds tension but also a sense of boundless energy. Fine-grained tannins emerge as the 2013 flexes its structural muscle, leaving a tart cranberry crunchiness and savory herbal tones to resonate. There are still many years, possibly a decade or more, of positive maturity in store for patient collectors. Drinking range: 2026 - 2036 Rating: 96 Eric Guido, www.vinous.com (Feb 2024)
* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.
Mid bricky red. Fragrant, still with notes of tart red fruits and dried cherries and just starting to show some more tertiary notes of leather and balsam. On the palate, superb intensity without any sense of weight or alcohol, though there is a smooth depth to the dry, resolving tannins to balance the tension and freshness in the fruit. Still has a firm grip and still a long way to go but you could drink this now with something substantial. Really persistent. (JH) 14.5% Drinking range: 2021 - 2035 Rating: 18 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Apr 2023)
A dense, muscular version, this red boasts cherry, currant, tobacco, iron and wild herb aromas and flavors. Bright and juicy, with fine balance and a refreshing finish. Drinking range: 2022 - 2040 Rating: 93 Bruce Sanderson, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2019)
Luminous deep red. Steely aromas and flavors of redcurrant, cranberry cocktail, and sour red cherry are complicated by cinnamon and minerals, while lifted by a bright violet topnote. Fresh, precise and focused, with harmonious lively acidity providing outstanding clarity and cut extending the flavors nicely on the long, suave, refined finish. Drinking range: 2022 - 2032 Rating: 94 Ian d'Agata, TerroirSense (Mar 2019)
Very intense aromas of ripe dark fruit with plums and cherries, intermingled with aged meat, warm stones and sweet, dried-wood nuances. The concentrated palate has a suave and plush core with tannins building in impressive layers to hold a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. Drinking range: 2019 - Rating: 96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Feb 2019)
Initially closed and shy, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva needs a little extra time in the glass before it starts to shine. The wine is made according to a very classic blueprint that prizes delicate primary fruit freshness, fully integrated tannins (nudged forward by Slavonian oak casks) and bright acidity. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 20-year-old vines that deliver the added extract and concentration worthy of a Riserva expression. This wine is impeccably balanced and radiant. It drinks beautifully straight out of the gate, however, it has the natural DNA to assure a graceful aging future. Some 12,000 bottles were made. Drinking range: 2020 - 2040 Rating: 95+ Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jan 2019)
Very intense aromas of ripe dark fruit with plums and cherries, intermingled with aged meat, warm stones and sweet, dried-wood nuances. The concentrated palate has a suave and plush core with tannins building in impressive layers to hold a long, flavorful finish. Drink or hold. Rating: 96 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Jan 2019)
Mid ruby. Lifted dark-fruit nose. Really ripe yet tangy and with lovely chewy tannins supporting the fruit. A little slow to show it all. Powerful, yet not overpowering. Drinking range: 2019 - 2030 Rating: 17+ Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com (Jan 2019)
Rose, wild berry, camphor and a whiff of exotic spice float out of the glass along with a hint of new leather. Radiant and loaded with finesse, the taut, elegantly structured palate delivers juicy red cherry, strawberry compote, baking spice and licorice while fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity provide balance and support. (Italy Editor, Kerin O'Keefe) Drinking range: 2021 - 2035The Wine Enthusiast www.winemag.com (Jan 2019)
Fuligni
Founded in 1923 by Giovanni Fuligni, the estate today is co-owned by Robert Guerrini Fuligni and his delightful aunt Maria Flora Fuligni. Together with his aunt, Roberto makes the wines with oenologist Paolo Vagaggini and his son Jacopo, while agronomist Federico Ricci looks after the vineyards.
The estate covers 100 hectares, of which 25 are under vine, almost all planted with Sangiovese, with a small amount of Merlot for the IGT blend. 4 plots, Semiti, San Giovanni, Ginestreto and Cotimeli produce Sangiovese for the Brunelli and Rosso and each vineyard is kept separate during fermentation. What is important is the combined height of the vineyards (350-440m), the density of planting, age of the vines (12-30 plus) and the 'galestro' soils on which they are planted. Fuligni's wines have reached international recognition for their purity of expression, strong backbone of acidity and polished tannins.
These are simply the finest wines of Brunello, epitomising all that is great from the region. The 'Rosso' now comes from a defined part of the vineyard, on clay and tufa rather than the marl of the Brunello. It is made from the outset as a Rosso, with different clones and the intention to make a wine which will be approachable at a much younger age.
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N.b. Certain wines which are on very tight allocations will be offered first to customers who buy across the range.
Alternatively please call or email the team () or your normal Lea and Sandeman contact.
ELEPHANT PRIVATE STORAGE: We will deliver your wines to your Elephant In Bond storage account unless otherwise specified. You can find more details on L&S storage here or contact our primeurs team for more information. Do however proceed with your order first in order to secure your allocation, your storage account can be arranged later.
PRE-SHIPMENT FAQ
PRICES: This is a primeur offer - all prices are quoted IN BOND & Duty Paid ex-VAT. The prices are per pack as detailed - so if a wine is listed in twelve-bottle cases, the price given is per twelve, or if listed in in six-bottle cases, the price given is per six, and so on. If it looks too cheap (and even if it does not) check the case size!
DELIVERY COSTS: The in bond prices are for in bond delivery. Under bond delivery to an Elephant storage account at Octavian Corsham is free, but under bond delivery to other bonds or accounts may incur additional charges. If the wines are required duty-paid, a duty and VAT invoice will be raised once all the wines on an order are available.
PAYMENT: Orders will be invoiced for payment by cheque, cash, debit card or cleared funds to our account.
DELIVERY TIMING: The wines are not yet physically available, but will be shipped to us in Autumn this year and then on to your or your storage account.