Meet the Young Aristocrat That's Making Brunello Cool Again
This story is from an installment of The Oeno Files, our weekly insider newsletter to the world of fine wine. Sign up here.
Thirty-year-old vintner Santiago Cinzano has just launched a new estate called Conti Marone Cinzano, where he is pioneering an unorthodox viticultural philosophy: selecting the best plot in any given vintage to create his wine, Lot.1 Brunello di Montalcino. Due to increasing climatic unpredictability, the plot changes every year and is selected during the ripening season based on the year's conditions and their influence on the vines. After realizing that members of his age group prefer other styles of wine to age-worthy Brunello with potentially hefty tannins, Cinzano launched his project with an eye toward making Brunello cool again.
More from Robb Report
$2.2 Million Worth of Ancient Artifacts Trafficked Through New York Are Returning to Greece and Italy
Spring-Break Travel Prices Have Hit a Record High This Year
How to Sell a Bottle of Wine From Your Collection
The 10th generation of a winemaking dynasty whose surname is more closely associated with Vermouth and Asti Spumante than red wine, Cinzano notes that his friends prefer to drink styles such as Beaujolais, Trousseau from Jura, and crisp, fresh reds from the slopes of Mount Etna rather than what they consider an overly tannic red that may not be ready to drink for another 10 years. 'Don't get me wrong—I know that today Brunello's reputation is at an all-time high,' Cinzano says. 'But people my age want to drink cool wines. Montalcino, Brunello, today, they are not cool. They're prestigious. They're high end. They're historical. They're classic. But Brunello is not considered cool by 25- to 30-year-olds.'
Ten years ago, Cinzano's father, Count Francesco Marone Cinzano, ceded 10 percent of the land owned by his Montalcino wine estate Col d'Orcia to Santiago and his brother to begin a project of their own. At that time, this portion of the estate had been planted with fields of grain, olive groves, and forests, which Santiago replaced with Sangiovese planted in bush-vine style. The elder Cinzano had sold the remaining 50 percent of his family's eponymous Vermouth and sparkling-wine brand when his own father died in a car accident in 1989, and his son's first line item in starting a new project was to use his family name on the bottle, which was easier said than done. The sale of Cinzano was a painful end to an illustrious family legacy dating back to 1757, and while Santiago wanted to reclaim the name, multiple legal consultants and attorneys told him it would be impossible.
Unbeknown to Francesco, Santiago set up a meeting in Milan with Luca Garavoglia, chairman of Campari Group, the current owner of Cinzano. 'I presented this project, and he told me, 'As long as Campari owns Cinzano, I will never make your life difficult. Send me a bottle for Christmas. Please, use your family name, feel free,'' he says. And thus Conti Marone Cinzano was born, for which Santiago often uses the shorthand CMC. With his family name back in play, it was important to him to take a personal, intimate approach to every aspect of winemaking from vineyard to bottle, including his and Francesco's signature on the label and hand-numbering each bottle. Because his 10-year-old vineyard is not producing grapes of the quality necessary for such a special project, CMC Lot.1 is currently reliant on the vines of Col d'Orcia, where 272 acres are planted at 500 to almost 1,500 feet above sea level with many different expositions and multiple soil types. The vineyard has been broken down into micro-parcels so that the team can understand each and every plot as deeply as possible.
Working closely with enologist Dr. Donato Lanati of Giacomo Conterno and Giuseppe Mascarello fame, Cinzano's Lot.1 is a single-vineyard wine, but it will not be from the same plot each vintage. 'In the past eight years we've seen the warmest year on record, the driest year on record, and the rainiest autumn on record,' Santiago says. 'We are seeing such a level of climatic variability and unpredictability that the concept of having to rely on a single plot is becoming less and less reliable.'
With that in mind, Lanati analyzes grapes samples just after veraison, which indicates the onset of ripening. He is looking for aromatic precursors that at that point cannot be smelled or tasted in the grape; they are released only during fermentation. Lanati examines the grapes prior to full ripening and can predict the evolution of aromas, thereby choosing the best plots weeks before harvest and then narrowing it down to just one. 'When we are harvesting that parcel, we go even further, and it's a selection of the best bunches from that already selected parcel,' he says. 'The parameters allow me to do very short maceration and very delicate pump overs to have a fresh, approachable wine, but at the same time I can extract a lot of aromas.'
Seeking to release a wine that's age-worthy yet still approachable, Santiago and Lanati's goal is a 'Brunello that even in its first year of release has tannins that are extremely integrated, extremely silky, and extremely round,' Lanati says. Cinzano's 2019 Lot.1 is derived from what he calls a 'textbook vintage.' Sourced from the estate's almost 40-year-old Canneto vineyard, the wine benefited from 'near perfect equilibrium' in its soil composition. 'The limestone, clay, and sandy components have great balance, which in a vintage like 2019, where you didn't need the most draining soil or the most retentive soil, you go for a very balanced soil,' he says. The plot's southern exposure and ample sunlight brought on perfect phenolic ripeness, which is necessary to make great wine. The entire lot was aged in a single large wooden tank called a botte and was transferred to bottle in August 2023.
Conti Marone Cinzano 2019 Lot.1 Brunello di Montalcino is deep garnet in the glass and has a bouquet of cranberry, pomegranate, cherry, and vanilla with touches of saddle leather and tobacco leaf. Flavors of ripe summer cherry and dried cranberry are wrapped in brilliant acidity and polished tannins shot through with a bold vein of minerality. Shimmering acidity lingers into the drawn-out finish. If this wine doesn't make Brunello cool again, we wonder if anything will.
Do you want access to rare and outstanding reds from Napa Valley? Join the Robb Report 672 Wine Club today.
Best of Robb Report
Why a Heritage Turkey Is the Best Thanksgiving Bird—and How to Get One
9 Stellar West Coast Pinot Noirs to Drink Right Now
The 10 Best Wines to Pair With Steak, From Cabernet to Malbec
Click here to read the full article.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
6 days ago
- Forbes
What's The Difference Between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay?
A glass of white wine with grapes on a barrel Walk into any wine aisle and you'll likely be faced with an early decision: Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay? They sit side by side on shelves and wine lists everywhere, from upscale restaurants to the corner grocery. And yet, stylistically, they might as well be from different planets. For beginners, these two white wines offer a perfect entry point into understanding how grape variety, climate, and winemaking style can shape what ends up in your glass. Sauvignon Blanc is the zesty extrovert—bright, herbal, and attention-grabbing. Chardonnay is the versatile shapeshifter—sometimes crisp and citrusy, other times rich and buttery, depending on where it's made and how it's treated in the cellar. Understanding the differences between the two isn't about picking a winner. It's about learning how wine communicates—how two grapes, both technically white, can feel like totally different experiences. Meet Sauvignon Blanc: The Zesty Minimalist Wine crops in a vineyard on the outskirts of Santiago, Chile. Chilean wine has a long history for a ... More New World wine region, as it was the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought Vitis vinifera vines with them as they colonized the region. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère and Franc were introduced. Sauvignon Blanc is the kind of wine that announces itself the moment it hits the glass. There's no subtle slow burn here—it's a vivid splash of citrus and cut herbs, sometimes even an unmistakable whiff of jalapeño or fresh bell pepper. It's a wine that wakes up your senses, often described as 'racy' or 'crisp'—words that capture the zing of acidity dancing across your palate. Its home turf is the Loire Valley of France, particularly Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, where it shows a lean, flinty elegance. But in the past few decades, it's become practically synonymous with New Zealand, where winemakers in Marlborough turned up the volume on tropical fruit, passionfruit, and lime zest to create a signature style that took the wine world by storm. Sauvignon Blanc rarely sees oak, which means its flavors are direct and unvarnished—like a fruit salad served straight from the fridge. That chill factor is key: this is a wine meant to be refreshing. It's the glass you reach for after a long day or the one that pairs effortlessly with tangy goat cheese, bright vinaigrettes, and anything involving fresh herbs or seafood. Chardonnay: The Shape-Shifter of White Wine Chardonnay grapevines at an estate vineyard in BC's Okanogan winemaking region. If Sauvignon Blanc is easy to read, Chardonnay is more of a choose-your-own-adventure story. In some hands, it's clean and minerally, like a walk through a lemon grove on a cool morning. In others, it's rich and decadent, layered with flavors of vanilla, toasted oak, ripe apple, or even butterscotch. What's remarkable is that these wildly different styles all come from the same grape. That's because Chardonnay, unlike Sauvignon Blanc, is a relatively neutral variety. On its own, it doesn't shout. Instead, it takes cues from its surroundings—from the soil, the climate, and most of all, the winemaker's intentions. It's the grape equivalent of a great actor, able to transform completely depending on the role. In Burgundy, where the grape originated, Chardonnay is often elegant and restrained. A bottle of Chablis, made from unoaked Chardonnay, can be steely and austere, all lemon peel and crushed shells. Move into Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet, and it becomes creamier, with a richer texture and complex notes of almond and stone fruit. Cross the ocean to California, and things get broader and bolder. Chardonnay here often comes with generous oak aging and full malolactic fermentation, a process that softens acidity and gives the wine that signature buttery quality. You'll taste baked apples, caramel, and vanilla—and feel the plushness on your tongue like warm velvet. And yet, not all New World Chardonnay is oaky. More and more producers, from Sonoma to Australia's Margaret River, are embracing the grape's fresher side, making clean, citrus-driven wines that feel as crisp and compelling as a Sauvignon Blanc—just with a bit more heft. How They Show Up at the Table Food antipasto prosciutto ham, salami, olives and bread sticks. Charcuterie board. Two glasses of ... More white wine or prosecco One of the easiest ways to understand the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay is to sit with them at dinner. Sauvignon Blanc is a natural with light, zippy dishes. Think arugula salads, shrimp tacos, Thai takeout, and fresh goat cheese. It's the wine of summer lunches, rooftop toasts, and impromptu picnics. Chardonnay, especially in its creamier expressions, asks for something heartier. It's ideal with roasted chicken, buttery seafood, pasta with cream sauce, or even Thanksgiving turkey. Unoaked versions can also be startlingly good with sushi, raw oysters, or simple grilled fish, especially when the wine's acidity is preserved. Both can be versatile, but they speak different culinary languages. Sauvignon Blanc brings brightness and lift; Chardonnay brings structure and depth. If Sauvignon Blanc is the lemon, Chardonnay is the butter—and the two don't compete so much as they occupy different moods. Bottles to Try bottles of white wine in the supermarket If you're just starting out and want to taste the classic styles side by side, here are a few trusted bottles: What To Choose Wine producer mane tasting the product after harvest and grape fermentation process - Vinification, ... More organic quality product and small business concept - Main focus on glass There's no need to choose a side in the Sauvignon Blanc vs. Chardonnay debate—because wine isn't about loyalty, it's about exploration. These two grapes are staples for a reason: they show the breadth of what white wine can be. One is bright and grassy, the other smooth and layered. One pairs with citrus-dressed greens, the other with creamy pastas and shellfish. The more you taste, the more you'll notice your preferences—maybe you lean toward unoaked styles across the board, or maybe you find yourself craving buttery Chardonnay on colder nights and Sauvignon Blanc by the pool. And the best part? You don't need to memorize a flavor wheel or pass a sommelier exam to enjoy either. Just pour, sip, and listen to what the wine is telling you. Because at the end of the day, the only real rule of wine is this: drink what you like. And with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, there's a whole lot to like.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Yahoo
Lolo Ranch in Photos
More from Robb Report This $7 Million L.A. Home by Famed Architect Paul R. Williams Comes With a Speakeasy A Gothic Revival Home Bombed in the Zeppelin Raids of 1915 Can Be Yours for $4.5 Million A Glamorously Updated 19th-Century Townhouse in London's Chester Terrace Lists for $13.5 Million Best of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article. Lolo Ranch spans nearly 2,000 acres that border the Lolo National Forest. The unassuming entrance gate. The five-bedroom, six-bath lodge. A porch overlooks the grounds. A large stone patio includes a massive outdoor fireplace. There are several historic outbuildings with original stonework. There are paved and gravel roads. The property is home to both domestic livetock and extensive wildlife. Elk roam the ranch.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Bob Newhart's L.A. House in Photos
More from Robb Report Late TV Legend Bob Newhart's Longtime L.A. Home Is Up for Grabs at $10.5 Million An Art World Couple's Longtime Compound in the Hamptons Lists for $8 Million Inside a Grand $16 Million Houston Mansion With European-Inspired Gardens Best of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article. The Spanish Revival townhouse features four bedrooms and seven baths in about 6,600 square feet. A gated entry courtyard greets with city views. The fountain-clad courtyard opens into a double-height foyer with a curving wrought iron-railed staircase. The foyer flows to a fireside living room. The formal dining room sits beneath a coffered ceiling. A wet bar-equipped family room is next to the kitchen. The eat-in kitchen is outfitted with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. The family room opens onto a patio that's ideal for alfresco entertaining. The upstairs primary bedroom comes with a fireplace and Juliet balcony. The primary has dual walk-in closets and baths. Three more en suite bedrooms can be found on the second level. The top floor hosts a spacious office. The office spills out to a covered balcony warmed by a fireplace.
