To say we have been enjoying the 2016 vintage in Tuscany would be a vast understatement. It has been the most successful and charming Sangiovese vintage in recent memory, yielding impeccably balanced wines that are an absolute joy to drink already. The across-the-board quality has afforded us the opportunity to expand our offerings from the region, and while we take great pride in showcasing the new additions to our shelves, it can be easy to lose sight of the wineries that form the bedrock of our selection. Within Tuscany, there is no single producer more fundamental to our offerings than Sesti. Today we would like to spotlight the stellar 2016 Sesti Brunello, a wine that brilliantly captures this exceptional vintage in Montalcino.

Giuseppe Sesti never planned to be a winemaker when he moved to Tuscany. He was a notable scholar of astronomy, an opera connoisseur and author who enjoyed fine food and drink like any good Italian, but the property was not a vinous destination when Giuseppe purchased it in 1975. As outside merchants began pouring in to scout the best wines, the provincial town had a need for translators to assist with business dealings. Giuseppe had a great command of English (thanks to his English wife, Sarah) and began helping friends & acquaintances in his spare time. The more time he spent surrounded by the great wines of Montalcino, the more enamored he became with the most traditional expressions of Brunello and how they were made. Armed with his newfound knowledge and excitement, he acquired some Sangiovese cuttings from the renowned Il Poggione estate and planted his first vines in 1989 around the hilltop hamlet of Argiano. 

We’re deeply enamored of Sangiovese in its purest form, and few producers in Tuscany capture its unaltered beauty as well as Giuseppe Sesti and his daughter, Elisa, who joined him at the estate in 1999. They feel that when Sangiovese is planted in Montalcino in the right sites and handled with care and attention, it will radiate beauty all on its own. The vines are farmed according to some biodynamic & organic practices, but the family have no intention of becoming certified. In the cellar, the wines are fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel and aged in large 39 HL botti for just over 3 years, firmly placing them in the traditional and very consistent, clean camp. The 2016 vintage presented them with steady warm weather and well-timed rains to refresh the vines, leading to a leisurely harvest of pristine fruit - the kind of vintage farmers dream of! This wine certainly has immediate drinking appeal but would also reward with more time in the cellar.  Simply put, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino from Sesti is not to be missed! 

The wines below are offered on a first come, first served basis. Follow the links below to purchase directly from our site or call/email us if you need some assistance.

Cheers,