2019 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino 750 ml

Under the masterful guidance of Andrea Mantengoli, family-owned La Serena has flourished since 1988, producing wines that strike the perfect balance between power and elegance. Nestled among prestigious neighbors like Cerbaiona and Biondi-Santi, La Serena's elevation (400 meters above sea level) and classic Montalcino soils yields Brunellos of exceptional character and delicious approachability.

The estate's organic practices, now certified on the label, showcase Andrea's dedication to sustainable viticulture. By focusing on biodiversity, utilizing natural fertilizers, and eschewing chemical interventions, La Serena cultivates grapes that truly express the essence of their magnificent surroundings. 

This meticulous approach in the vineyard, combined with the expert touch of enologist Paolo Caciorgna, results in a wine of exceptional depth and finesse, especially since the winery has shifted to using exclusively large oak casks for aging.

In 2019, a rainy spring teed up the vines for the summer, which turned out hot and dry, but without any vine-stressing heat spikes. Compared to recent years past—when temps topped 104 degrees—July was relatively mild, with some mid-month showers (and a few in August) providing some relief. A warm September put the grapes on a glide path to harvest, and by the time the call came to pick, vintners were dancing the Tarantella.

With 5/5 stars from Decanter, 98 points from Wine Spectator, and praise from every corner of the wine world, the 2019 vintage is being feted as a modern classic. Vinous hailed it as “the vintage we’ve all been waiting for.” In fact, Kerin O’Keefe, who wrote THE book on Brunello, said “I’ve never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage.”