La Fortuna: the cool north of Montalcino
La Fortuna makes Brunello on the cooler northwest side of Montalcino. A family estate since 1907, built on structure and ageing potential.
Site makes the difference in Montalcino, and La Fortuna sits on the cooler side. The northwest, to be precise, where lower temperatures slow the ripening. You taste it in wines that turn on structure and patience rather than instant charm. I tasted their Brunello 2021 and Riserva 2019 at La Grande Bellezza in Amsterdam.
La Fortuna in Montalcino since 1907
La Fortuna is a historic family estate, founded in 1907, in the heart of Montalcino. The house works around eighteen hectares of vineyard, planted mostly with Sangiovese for Brunello di Montalcino. Ageing happens in 27-hectolitre oak casks, with a balanced use of new wood meant to preserve elegance and terroir expression.
The range reaches beyond Brunello alone: Riserva, Rosso di Montalcino and selected IGT wines belong to it too. But the reputation rests on wines with structure, finesse and ageing potential. Respect for nature and precise vineyard management guide every step, with great attention to grape selection so only the finest fruit reaches the bottle.
Two vintages, two characters
The Brunello 2021 arrives as a restrained wine, certainly next to the warmer Tuscan rivals of that day. Spicy aromas, chili next to strawberry, tobacco and cacao. On the palate stern and peppery, and still very closed. The red fruit is there, but you have to search for it more than at other houses. The colour is a shade darker, to me the classic Brunello tint: light ruby with a hint of brick.
The Riserva 2019 comes from a hot, powerful year and you taste it at once. A warm blanket of ripe red fruit with cherries up front, lovely citrus, orange and a touch of mandarin. Plenty of herbs and spice, tobacco and cacao. High acids and high tannins in fine balance but clearly present, exactly what betrays serious ageing potential. A powerful, citrus-rich wine that is less earthy than you would expect.
The detail that taught me most: the harvest date. La Fortuna started on September 25. Put that 2021 next to the Pian delle Querci 2021, the same appellation and vintage, and you taste the influence of site and picking day directly. That is why a day like this is worth more than ten brochures.
Sources
- Tenuta La Fortuna (official): tenutalafortuna.it
- Consorzio Vino Brunello di Montalcino: consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it
- La Grande Bellezza (tasting): lagrandebellezza.com
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