Castiglion Bosco Campo del Drago Brunello di Montalcino

Castiglion del Bosco Campo del Drago Brunello di Montalcino is a single-vineyard Brunello di Montalcino DOCG made from 100% Sangiovese, bottled at 14.5% ABV in 750ml. Scoring 98 points from James Suckling on the 2015 vintage, this limited-production wine comes from a 1.5-hectare high-altitude plot and is released only in exceptional years, with production limited to 7,000–10,000 bottles per vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  Brunello di Montalcino DOCG  |  Producer: Castiglion del Bosco

Production & Heritage

Castiglion del Bosco is a historic estate in the Montalcino appellation of Tuscany. The Campo del Drago bottling draws its fruit from a single 1.5-hectare vineyard situated on a high plateau at 430–450 meters elevation, with views extending to the Tyrrhenian Sea — one of the most elevated sites in the denomination. The Sangiovese grapes undergo 20–25 days of fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 28°C, followed by 24 months of maturation in French oak barrels. Only the strongest vintages are deemed worthy of release, underscoring the estate's commitment to site-specific expression over volume.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Plum, blackberry, and orange peel open the glass with immediate depth. Pipe tobacco, truffle, and dark chocolate emerge alongside subtle menthol and floral undertones as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is concentrated with ripe black cherry and fleshy plum. The mid-palate expands into star anise, baking spices, and licorice, framed by a full-bodied, enveloping texture. Power and elegance coexist here — there is density without heaviness, richness without excess.

Finish: Long and architecturally firm, with espresso, sunbaked earth, and dark spice lingering well after the last sip. Refined tannins provide serious structure, signaling considerable aging potential.

How to Serve Campo del Drago

Decant for at least an hour before serving at 62–65°F (17–18°C) in a large-bowled glass to allow the aromatics to fully develop. Campo del Drago is built for the table as much as for contemplative sipping. Braised short ribs or osso buco match its weight and dark fruit intensity. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle is a textbook Montalcino pairing, echoing the wine's earthy, spiced character. Bistecca alla Fiorentina provides the bold, charred protein that stands up to its firm tannic backbone.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or personal achievement
• Gifting a serious collector of Tuscan or Italian wines
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Brunello di Montalcino
• Anchoring a multi-course Italian dinner with a statement red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Campo del Drago taste like? Campo del Drago delivers concentrated dark fruit — black cherry, plum, and blackberry — layered with pipe tobacco, leather, dark chocolate, and baking spices, all carried by firm, refined tannins and a long espresso-laced finish.

How does Campo del Drago compare to Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino? Both are benchmark 100% Sangiovese Brunellos, but Campo del Drago comes from a single high-altitude vineyard and tends toward a richer, more enveloping style aged in French oak. Biondi-Santi's Annata is generally recognized as a more classically austere expression, traditionally aged in large Slavonian oak casks.

Is Campo del Drago good for aging? Its firm tannin architecture, concentrated fruit core, and 24 months of French oak maturation give Campo del Drago significant cellaring potential, with top vintages like the 98-point 2015 capable of developing beautifully over 15–20 years or more.

Where is Campo del Drago made? Campo del Drago is produced by the Castiglion del Bosco estate within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG zone of Tuscany, Italy. The vineyard sits at 430–450 meters elevation on a high plateau in one of the most scenic corners of the Montalcino appellation.

What foods pair well with Campo del Drago? Braised short ribs or osso buco complement its full body and dark fruit. Aged Pecorino Toscano mirrors its earthy complexity. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle is a classic Montalcino match. Grilled Bistecca alla Fiorentina stands up to its firm tannins. Dark chocolate desserts echo the wine's cocoa and espresso undertones.

What sizes does Campo del Drago come in? Campo del Drago Brunello di Montalcino is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Campo del Drago worth the price? Campo del Drago positions as an ultra-premium single-vineyard Brunello, produced in limited quantities of 7,000–10,000 bottles and released only in the best vintages. With scores reaching 98 points from James Suckling and 95 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, it delivers the complexity and aging trajectory expected at this tier.

Why Campo del Drago?

Campo del Drago stands apart within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG as a single-vineyard expression from one of the highest sites in the appellation, at 430–450 meters elevation. Limited to 7,000–10,000 bottles and produced only when the vintage merits it, this is a wine defined by scarcity and site specificity rather than volume. A 98-point score from James Suckling on the 2015 vintage, alongside 95 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, confirms its standing among elite Brunello bottlings. For collectors and devoted Sangiovese enthusiasts, Campo del Drago is a wine that rewards patience and repays serious attention.