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2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Phenomena”
Sesti
Before becoming one of Italy’s legendary wines, Brunello was a rarity produced only by a handful of families in the rural hills of southern Tuscany. By the time Giuseppe and Sarah Sesti moved to the area in 1975, word had begun to spread about the noble local red. One of few English speakers in the area, Giuseppe volunteered his services to help translate for visiting journalists and sommeliers, consequently spending many hours in the cellars of the appellation’s pioneering producers.
Twenty years later, the couple had planted their own vineyard on the perfectly exposed, well-ventilated slopes surrounding their home. The time had come to apply the knowledge Giuseppe gleaned from those artisans responsible for forging Brunello di Montalcino’s reputation.
Tasting the Sestis’ 2012 Riserva, one is tempted to imagine this is how the historic wines from Montalcino’s early days might have tasted. It is a hauntingly fragrant Brunello whose raw power takes a back seat to utter delicacy and grace.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2012 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sangiovese |
Appellation: | Brunello di Montalcino |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Tuscany |
Producer: | Sesti |
Vineyard: | 20 years old |
Soil: | Oceanic sediment |
Farming: | Biodynamic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

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With a regal perfume that is both sweet and savory, a ripe berry fruit accented by balmy herbs and earthy wafts of incense, this enthralling Brunello is already approachable, but will reward you if you set aside a few bottles to open over the next ten years.

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Gentle and mouth-filling, this rosato is perked up by a touch of salinity imbued by the oceanic soil.

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This 2017 is compact and absolutely brimming with energy, culminating in a grippy, stony tannin.

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Ample, deep, and succulent, this enthralling Brunello is already highly rewarding.

2021 Rosso di Montalcino
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The perfume of rose petals and vivid red berry fruit, along with the delicate, fine-grained tannin, make this a truly special Rosso.

2024 Toscana Sauvignon
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The Sesti Sauvignon yields a crisp, flowery white that’s a beautiful match for locally caught seafood or a bright summer salad.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Bright, intense green with hints of fennel and parsley, a Tuscan treasure.
About The Producer
Sesti
About The Region
Tuscany
Perhaps no region is tied to Italy’s reputation as a producer of fine wine as much as Tuscany. Since Etruscan times, viticulture has played a prominent role in this idyllic land of rolling hills, and the Tuscan winemaking tradition remains as strong as ever today. With a favorable Mediterranean climate, an undulating topography offering countless altitudes and expositions, and a wealth of poor, well-draining soils, conditions are ideal for crafting high-quality wines. Add to that the rich gastronomical tradition—Tuscany is home to some of the country’s finest game, pastas, salumi, and cheeses—and you have the blueprint for a world-class wine region.
This is Sangiovese territory; in fact, it is arguably the only place in the world where Sangiovese reaches a truly regal expression. In spite of a rocky history with fluctuations in quality, traditionally produced Chianti has reclaimed its status as one of the country’s most reliable, food-friendly reds, while the rapid rise of Brunello di Montalcino shows the grape’s potential for grandiose, opulent reds allying power and finesse. Traditionally-minded growers have stuck to using only indigenous grape varieties and employing techniques like aging in massive wooden casks known as botti, creating wines of terroir that shine at the Tuscan table.
Tuscan wines have had a place in our portfolio since Kermit’s first visit in 1977. While the names of the estates have changed, the spirit of those first unfiltered Chiantis he imported live on through our current selections.
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2021 Rosso di Montalcino
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
If you're looking for value, look where no one else is looking.
Inspiring Thirst, page 211