Lisini’s 2021 Rosso di Montalcino is Sangiovese at its most transportative deliciousness. From its soulful traditionalism to its pointillist complexity, at $35, the value at play here is off the charts!

You can revel in the glory of Lisini any night of the week, no decade of cellar-aging required. In fact, this Rosso beholds every aspect that we’ve ever hailed from Lisini’s Brunellos over the years and it easily delivers just as much as you’d expect from most other producers’ top Brunellos. We’re 100% stocking our wine fridges full of Lisini’s Rosso and strongly suggest you do the same!

In comparison to the overwhelming majority of wineries in Montalcino today that were founded within the past fifty years or so, the Lisini clan has roots to these hallowed hills that date back to the 16th century. Located in Sant’Angelo in Montalcino’s southwest corner, generally noted for its more muscular and fruit-forward stylings, their 20 hectares of vines face due south, absorbing more of the Ligurian Sea’s breezes than other landlocked portions of Montalcino. Add in 350 meters’ elevation and you’ve got a recipe for singular Rosso di Montalcino that’s both full-bodied and easier-drinking. Lisini’s Rosso comes from the same vineyards as their Brunello, just from slightly younger vines that produce more fruit-driven aromatics. It’s fermented in cement then aged for a year in the same large oak casks the Brunello sees. After bottling, it rests a further four months before release. 

Now, with an additional three years in bottle, Lisini’s Rosso di Montalcino 2021 is ready to wow the moment you pull the cork. It pours a classic magenta-ruby with very slight bricking towards the edges. The nose serves up a heady panoply of woodland herbs and fruit: sage, thyme, dusty earth and rocks float beneath high toned raspberry, dried sour cherry, pomegranate, and orange peel. It’s medium-bodied and sumptuous on the palate, leading with those more mineral tones before rounding out into dried red berries. Structurally, there’s a good vein of polished tannin for some chew, but it’s the ringing freshness that wins the day. It’s Sangiovese that begs to be drunk rather than aged (though it’ll do that too)! You won’t be able to keep your hands off of Lisini’s Rosso once you taste that first bottle, so be sure to grab plenty!