Montalcino is a very large township indeed, sprawling across a large part of the southernmost sector of the province of Siena, extending, in fact, all the way to the Orcia river boundary with the neighboring province of Grosseto. It is hardly a surprise, therefore, that very large properties are by no means uncommon: Castello Banfi, Col d’Orcia, Il Poggione, and Castelgiocondo are just a few names which come to mind.

Even in this context, however, Castiglion del Bosco is a very large property indeed: 4500 total acres, close to 150 acres of vineyards, a hotel,  a golf course and, needless to say, ultra-modern and perfectly equipped cellars. Large amounts of capital were obviously necessary for the transformation of a property of this size, which occupies a substantial part of the westernmost area of the township of Montalcino, and it was provided by the new owner, Massimo Ferragamo, scion of a family whose fashion expertise, over the course of generations, has made it a major international brand and an outstanding representative of Italian excellence and creativity.

Massimo Ferragamo is, both by birth and by personality, a man of the world, as comfortably at ease in New York, Paris, and Toyko as in his native Florence, and his wines could only reflect the experience of a man who knows the world’s great wines and wishes to become an active member of the exclusive club of those who produce them. The style, accordingly, is international, with the wines aged in small oak barrels; but here, as is generally the case, the contribution of the oak has been notably reduced in recent years and the personality of the Sangiovese has accordingly become even more present on the nose and palate. Expressive and well delineated. Brunello di Montalcino – 65,00 bottles – is the main story, but the lovely Brunello cru, Campo del Drago, from the estate’s highest vineyard, represents the goal which the entire project has striven to achieve.