BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

2016 Fuligni

EN PRIMEUR

The Fuligni family moved from Maremma to Montalcino early in the 20th century, establishing the estate in 1923. Maria Flora has been at the helm since 1971, with her nephew Roberto managing most of the operations today. This historic property has released one of the most exquisite wines of 2016. Revealing its complexities gradually, it unfolds with a smoky flintiness, balsamic nuances and Mediterranean herbs. Seemingly endless in layers and depth, there is generosity but it never weighs the palate down. Powerful, sophisticated tannins are finely powdered, and piercing acidity radiates throughout. Hints of liquorice, violet, blood orange and iron eventually emerge. Lengthy and effortlessly commanding. Drinking range: 2024 - 2042 Rating: 99 Michaela Morris, Decanter (Apr 2021)

In Bond

75cl bottles (case of 6)

* 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.

A core of cherry and kirsch marks this vivid, linear red, packing strawberry, floral, sanguine, iron and tobacco notes into a slim frame. Balanced and structured, ends with a lingering impression of ripe fruit and savory elements. Best from 2024 through 2045. Drinking range: 2024 - 2045 Rating: 95 Bruce Sanderson, The Wine Spectator (Apr 2021)

Healthy mid ruby. Closed, brooding with cherry and cranberry with minerally notes. Iron with a suggestion of orange skin and oak. Embryonic, poised cherry and raspberry palate but with real concentration and with a long vein of acidity running through it. Very long and transparent, with finely-chiselled, long tannins and amazing depth. Drinking range: 2024 - 2038 Rating: 18 Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com (Mar 2021)

The Fuligni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows balance and symmetry with plenty of primary intensity to ensure a long cellar life. The bouquet opens to dark plum, dried raspberry, spice, aniseed and grilled herb. I get a lot of Mediterranean lavender and rosemary essence. This is a mid-weight Brunello with aromas that prove elegant and buoyant. If you have visited the Fuligni estate, you may agree that it occupies one of the best positions in the appellation with open views onto the enormous expanse of the Val d'Orcia that plays out until the horizon ends. This is one of Montalcino's historic cellars with many stories to tell. Luckily for us, much of that narrative unfolds in the beauty and the elegance of a wine like this. Drinking range: 2024 - 2045 Rating: 95 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Dec 2020)

Dark, inward and intense, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is a towering effort that will thrill collectors for many years to come. It arrives in waves, first black fruits evolving to red, then sage and earthy minerals, followed by brown spice and, finally, hints of tobacco. Youthfully dense, velvety and in no hurry to unfurl the complex web of fruit, minerals and tannins found within, this instead leaves you guessing at what’s to come. That said, there’s perfect symmetry here, along with the combination of structure and primary intensity to guarantee many years of positive maturation. Hints of licorice, currant and baker’s chocolate linger long. This is simply gorgeous. Drinking range: 2026 - 2040 Rating: 98 Eric Guido, www.vinous.com (Nov 2020)

Aromas of cedar, sandalwood and black cherries with some plums. Full-bodied and very chewy with lots of tannins and a fluid fruit base behind it all, providing such beauty and precision. Real purity and focus. Give this two or three years to come together. Try after 2022, but this has a long life ahead. Drinking range: 2022 - Rating: 97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2020)

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.

ORDERING VIA OUR WEBSITE:

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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.