2019 Capanna Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany Italy 750 ml

When we want a touch of Brunello character in a weeknight wine, we reach for Capanna’s Rosso di Montalcino.

Nestled in the Tuscan hills, Capanna has been “on a real roll of late,” according to Vinous, and the estate’s aromatic, ruby-red 2019 Rosso di Montalcino singlehandedly proves the point. It offers a gorgeous taste of Capanna’s inimitable terroir in a bottle we don’t hesitate to open. Ever.

Simply put, there is never a bad time for this wine. Bright ruby in color, the nose offers pretty tones of redcurrants, smoke-kissed cranberry, black raspberry, and ripe plum. With plenty of energy and purity here, it’s the kind of classic Sangiovese that has unlimited pairing potential: pizza, pasta, skirt steak, or just a beautiful sunset. Bring it on!

Owned by the Cencioni family since 1957, Capanna was one of the first estates of the modern era of Brunello, and patriarch Giuseppe Cencioni was one of the 25 founders of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. The estate sits on the hill of Montosoli—the Rodeo Drive of the Brunello appellation—where even the younger vines take root in prized galestro soils and enjoy a southeasterly exposure ideal for soaking up the Mediterranean sun. 

Still a family-run affair after more than six decades, Capanna has received a recent spate of glowing press, largely due to their consulting oenologist, Paolo Vagaggini. Known as “Mr. Sangiovese,” he not only heads the entire Sangiovese program at the University of Bordeaux but also counts Fuligni and the iconic Biondi-Santi among his star Brunello clients.

But forget the bigger names. This bottle right here is a Tuscan classic—one we’re thrilled to share.