La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino

La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino is a full-bodied DOCG red wine made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso, bottled at 14–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage earned 96 points from James Suckling, and recent vintages consistently score in the 93–95 range from the same critic, placing this among Montalcino's most dependable estate-bottled Brunellos.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14–14.5%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  DOCG  |  Producer: Santi Mantengoli

Production & Heritage

La Rasina is a fourth-generation Montalcino family estate with over 120 years of dedication to Sangiovese. The Mantengoli family farms organically, relying on natural yeasts and minimal sulfur additions throughout the winemaking process. Bunches are harvested at full maturity, then undergo natural fermentation using an integrative oxygen method before spending 24 months in medium-to-large oak barrels (20 and 40 hectoliters), followed by a minimum of six months of bottle aging. The choice of larger-format oak—rather than barriques—preserves the grape's varietal character and keeps the focus squarely on fruit and terroir rather than wood influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark berries and black prune emerge first, giving way to cocoa, cedar, and a thread of incense. Deeper in the glass, hints of clove, walnut, and Mediterranean herbs develop as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is concentrated and silky, with ripe blackberry, liquored fruit, and spiced cherry forming a dense mid-palate. Asian spices and tea leaves add complexity, while firm yet polished tannins provide structure without aggression. The body is full and enveloping, with an unmistakable wild, earthy character.

Finish: Long and chocolaty, with lingering notes of dark fruit, licorice, and soft oak. The tannins resolve into a velvety texture that invites another sip.

How to Drink La Rasina Brunello

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C) after decanting for at least an hour; this wine rewards patience and opens considerably with air. A large Burgundy-style glass helps concentrate the complex aromatics. For cocktail-adjacent use, La Rasina Brunello works beautifully in a Sangiovese Sangria built with dark stone fruits and a cinnamon stick, a Brunello Reduction spooned over seared steak as a culinary application, or a classic Kalimotxo reimagined with premium cola for an unconventional but surprisingly satisfying pairing—though most will rightly prefer to drink this one straight.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast who appreciates organic, terroir-driven reds
• Anchoring a Tuscan-themed dinner party centered on braised meats or wild game
• Cellaring for 10–15 years to explore how Sangiovese Grosso evolves with age
• Marking a milestone anniversary or birthday with a critically acclaimed DOCG wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Rasina Brunello taste like? It delivers a concentrated, silky palate of blackberry, spiced cherry, and dark chocolate, framed by firm but velvety tannins and a long, licorice-tinged finish. The overall impression is full-bodied and enveloping with a distinctive wild, earthy character.

How does La Rasina Brunello compare to Rosso di Montalcino? Rosso di Montalcino shares the same Sangiovese Grosso grape and many of the same producers, but it requires far less aging and is generally lighter and more immediately approachable. La Rasina Brunello undergoes a minimum of 24 months in oak plus additional bottle aging, resulting in deeper concentration, more complex tannins, and significantly greater aging potential.

Is La Rasina Brunello good for sipping neat? Absolutely—this is first and foremost a wine to savor on its own or alongside food, ideally after a proper decanting of at least one hour to let the tannins soften and the aromatics fully unfold.

Where is La Rasina Brunello made? It is produced by the Mantengoli family at their La Rasina estate in Montalcino, a hilltop commune in southern Tuscany, Italy, within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG appellation.

What foods pair well with La Rasina Brunello? Bistecca alla Fiorentina (grilled T-bone) highlights the wine's dark fruit and tannin structure. Slow-braised wild boar ragù mirrors its earthy, spiced character. Aged Pecorino Toscano provides a salty, nutty counterpoint. Porcini mushroom risotto echoes the wine's forest-floor aromatics. Dark chocolate torte complements the cocoa and licorice tones on the finish.

What sizes does La Rasina Brunello come in? La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is La Rasina Brunello worth the price? La Rasina positions as a mid-tier Brunello di Montalcino—more affordable than marquee estates yet consistently earning scores of 93–96 from James Suckling, which places it among the appellation's strongest values for organically farmed, estate-bottled Brunello.

Why La Rasina Brunello?

Consistent critical acclaim across multiple vintages—including 96 points from James Suckling for the 2015—demonstrates that La Rasina delivers at a level well above its price tier. The Mantengoli family's commitment to organic viticulture, natural yeasts, and minimal intervention gives the wine an authenticity that reflects its Montalcino terroir rather than winemaker manipulation. Aging in larger-format oak barrels preserves the purity of Sangiovese Grosso, resulting in a Brunello that feels classic rather than modern. For drinkers who want a genuine, family-produced Brunello with four generations of knowledge behind it, La Rasina represents one of the appellation's most compelling choices.