Sassetti Pertimali

Montecucco Rosso DOC La Querciolina – 2018

Region: ITALY - TUSCANY Italy - Veneto

Sassetti Pertimali

For over a century, four generations of the Sassetti family have farmed and made wine in Montalcino.  Livio worked the historic property through the late 1970s, then purchased the 16-hectare (39.53 acres)  Podere Pertimali vineyard. The now–famous Podere is in the Montosoli area, north of Montalcino, an area recognized for the cultivation of the Sangiovese grape.

In 1967, Livio was among the founders of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino, which was the same year the DOC(G) system was written into law. In 1968 he built a terracotta wall in his cellar to preserve the old vintages of the wines produced by the family.  Today, that collection consists of almost 1,000 bottles, with vintages dating back to 1915.   Dedicated to the land, Livio has over time rehabilitated and expanded the vineyards, preserving the genetic heritage of the old vines and preserving the primigenial characteristics.

In 1999, the Sassetti family acquired La Querciolina a beautiful property located in the Maremma within the Montecucco DOC. They also work with a small property in Colle Argento located in the Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG region.

Today, the estates are managed by Lorenzo Sassetti, Livio’s son, fourth generation family member and acclaimed winemaker. Together with his wife Sabina they passionately uphold the family name and reputation. Lorenzo’s wines have deep roots in their respective terroirs.  The wines are invigorating, aromatic, powerful styles that dance on the palate. Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino is a collector’s wine. A true benchmark.

The Wine

Vineyard Profile

Estate vineyards in La Querciolina, Montecucco Rosso DOC.

  • Soils: Volcanic
  • Vineyard Area: 12 ha/ 29.7 acres
  • Vine Training System: Spurred Cordon
  • Planting Density:  7000/ ha
  • Vines Planted: 2000
Harvest Notes
  • Hand harvested at end of September
  • Gently pressed
  • Fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures 28 – 29º C, 10 – 12 days maceration
  • Aged 6 months in 30hl Slavonian oak barrels
  • Aged 6 months in bottle before release
Winemaker's Notes

Vivid blackberry, candied plum, spices and herb aromas fill the nose. Fruity and fresh on the palate with earthy minerals, fine tannins. A long, silky finish completes this Rosso.

Wine Summary

100% Sangiovese della Maremma; alcohol: 14.5%; vineyards in La Querciolina, Montecucco DOC; volcanic soils; hand harvested end September; fermented in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures 28 – 29ºC; maceration about 11 days; aged 6 months in 30hl Slavonian oak; bottle aged 6 months prior to release.

Technical Information
  • 100% Sangiovese Grosso della Maremma
  • Alcohol: 14.5%

Reviews

91 Points

There’s something dark, animalistic and wild about the 2018 Rosso Montecucco. It’s an intense and energetic expression, yet powerful, showing crushed blackberries and wild herbs spiked with a twang of sour citrus. The textures are silky and pliant with masses of ripe fruits and wild berries offset by penetrating minerals and brisk acids. This tapers off long and lightly structured. A total success for the vintage. 2022 – 2026

Vinous, October, 2021

92 Points

The Sassetti family owns the famed Pertimali estate in Brunello di Montalcino. Today, Lorenzo Sassetti is the proprietor and winemaker for the property. The family’s Montecucco bottling is fairly new, from property that they have purchased along the coast in Maremma. The wine is composed entirely from sangiovese and is raised in large, Slavonian oak botti for six months prior to bottling. The 2018 Montecucco Rosso comes in at 14.5 percent octane and offers up a refined bouquet of cherries, roasted gamebird, cigar wrapper, a fine base of soil, just a dollop of Tuscan herb tones, brown spices and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a rock solid core of fruit, excellent mineral drive and grip, ripe tannins and a long, well-balanced finish. Because these vineyards are planted on volcanic soils, the wine has a superb spine of acidity that lends backend lift and precision. Impressive juice! This needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to soften up a bit more. 2025 – 2055

View From The Cellar, November, 2022

General Info

Country Italy
Region Tuscany, Veneto
Appellation(s) Montalcino, Montecucco, Valdobbiadene
Proprietors Lorenzo Sassetti & Sabina La Brusco Sassetti
Founded late 1800s
Winemaker Lorenzo Sassetti
Annual Production 13,250 9L cases
Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) Following organic principles, not certified