The standard-bearer, along with the other 2 “Gran Selezione” crus, of the new generation of Castello di Brolio wines, Il Ceniprimo was born together with Colledilà and Roncicone, the culmination of a long work of research and spermentation of the terroir by the Ricasoli family that led to the identification of three sites, each of which, precisely, gave its name to the respective cru.

For each of the three Grand Selections, grapes are selected, hand-picked and transported to the winemaking cellar in 200 kg bins. Transfer to steel tanks to begin fermentation is by gravity and lasts approximately 15 days; then maturation begins in 500 LT Tonneau.

The Ceniprimo vineyard, the smallest of the three with an extension of about 6 hectares, is located at 300 meters above sea level and has a soil composition called Terrazzo Fluviale Antico, since it is a valley formerly carved by the Arbia River. These characteristics give this wine a certain olfactory intensity, which in the 2016 version impressed us with hints of strawberries and rose petals, but also rosemary, incense and balsamic notes. Also powerful in the mouth, it gives us a sensational balance of acidity that persists driven by extremely fine and elegant tannins. A jewel of power and refinement that we expect to continue to evolve for at least 15 years.

Among the best 100 wines of 2019 according to James Suckling