A Noble Name in Montalcino
I’m excited to share a bottle that beautifully captures where tradition and thoughtful progress meet: the 2022 Col d’Orcia Rosso di Montalcino. This is a wine from one of Montalcino’s historic estates, but it also tells a very modern story about sustainability, precision, and a renewed focus on quality in both the vineyard and the cellar.
Col d’Orcia’s roots in this storied corner of Tuscany stretch back centuries, with documented winemaking on the estate dating to the 1800s. The property sits along the Orcia River, a privileged, sun-bathed location in the southern quadrant of Montalcino that has long been recognized for producing wines of generosity. Since the 1970s, the estate has been guided by the Marone Cinzano family and is now under the leadership of Count Francesco Marone Cinzano, whose vision has steadily elevated both the farming and the winemaking. His approach respects the estate’s deep history while pushing quality forward measurable ways.
One of the most important transformations has happened in the vineyards. Col d’Orcia is now fully certified organic and practicing biodynamic, and this is not a surface-level change. This is a long-term commitment to healthier soils, balanced vines, and a more vibrant ecosystem overall. Cover crops, biodiversity initiatives, and careful soil management have become central to the estate’s philosophy. The result is fruit that comes in with better natural balance, more balance with the ripeness that is the hallmark of the southern quadrant, and a clearer expression of site. You can truly taste the difference when the vineyards are farmed with this level of care.
At the same time, the work in the cellar has become more refined and detail-oriented. Fermentations are handled with a lighter touch to preserve purity of fruit, and aging is calibrated to support structure without overwhelming Sangiovese’s natural brightness. The goal is not to make a ‘big’ Rosso or ‘Baby Brunello’, but a beautifully proportioned one.
In the glass, the 2022 Rosso di Montalcino is vivid and inviting, with fresh red cherry, wild berry, and a hint of violet, backed by subtle spice and earthy nuance. The texture is polished but lively, with fine tannins and a line of acidity that keeps everything lifted and food-friendly. It offers a wonderful preview of the estate’s Brunello pedigree, but in a style that’s approachable earlier and incredibly versatile at the table.
This is a bottle that reflects a historic estate very much in its prime that is guided by a Count who believes the future of great wine starts with healthier vineyards and more thoughtful winemaking. I really enjoyed this wine.
92 points Wine Enthusiast
The saline nose cleanses with wild mint, eucalyptus and black cherry, and the palate stays medicinal with blackberries joining more black cherries and herbs, above a foundation of earth. The finish brings blood orange and a pinch of salt.