Giodo Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Carlo Ferrini’s heart belongs to Tuscany. Sangiovese is his first love, and Giodo Brunello di Montalcino is his life’s work.  This Brunello, composed of 100% Sangiovese, hails from the heart of Tuscany in one of Italy’s most prestigious DOCGs.  Carlo is one of Italy’s most influential winemakers, having worked at illustrious estates like Brancaia, Talenti, and Barone Ricasoli.   His style is simple, and his philosophy is all about, “the search of elegance.” Carlo was influenced by tasting a bottle of 1990 Château Margaux at a restaurant in Italy in 1993, falling in love with the sophisticated and restrained Margaux lacework.  It has been his life’s objective to recapture that refinement and bring it to the Sangiovese varietal.  Since the wine’s inaugural vintage in 2009, the Giodo Brunello di Montalcino has successfully epitomized his ethos, intriguing both critics and connoisseurs alike. 

Carlo Ferrini has made more than his share of contributions as a winemaker.  He has worked throughout the entire Italian peninsula, from Trentino all the way to Sicily.  One of his crowning achievements was serving as technical director of the Chianti Classico Consorzio, where he led the Chianti Classico 2000 Project.  This intensive restoration project involved a 16 year period where winemakers like Carlo would upgrade the vineyards within the Chianti Classico zone.  The most important part of this project was selecting better clonal material at higher densities.  The project dramatically improved the output of the Chianti Classico zone, and Chianti is experiencing its own version of a renaissance.  As for Giodo, Carlo chooses clones with tiny berries and harvests when the Sangiovese is just under-ripe to preserve some balanced acidity in the final wine. 

The name Giodo is a contraction of Carlo’s parents’ names – Giovanna and Donatello, as Carlo’s parents were extremely important figures in his life.  The 6 hectare estate is surprisingly large in comparison to most of the neighboring properties within the Brunello denomination.  The property sits between the communes of Sant’Angelo in Colle and Sant’Antimo.  Carlo uses only 8 Sangiovese clones that he manages with sustainable viticultural techniques whenever possible.  Attention to detail is crucial in the harvest and vinification process, and Carlo leaves nothing to chance.  The fruit is harvested a bit earlier to preserve freshness, and everything is sorted by hand prior to vinification in a mixture of stainless steel and concrete vats.   The wines then spend time in French oak casks prior to being bottled. 

Though Carlo likes to keep a low profile with Giodo as to not compete with some of his higher profile consulting clients, the wine does have a loyal following. Recently, Carlo has expanded his horizons by producing an Etna Rosso off the coast of Sicily.  He could not resist the fascinating pull of that region’s signature varietal – Nerello Mascalese.   Carlo is in the process of passing down his knowledge to his daughter, Bianca and this father/daughter team runs the operation at the estate today.  He continues to refine production of Sangiovese-based wines while exploring other new winemaking frontiers.      

"Carlo Ferrini's Giodo 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is plush and softly layered, and the wine has plenty of fiber and cherry to absorb the power that comes naturally to this vintage. This is Carlo's seventh leaf (or vintage) of Brunello from his family-run estate, and it's nice to reflect on the consistency of style and quality achieved since this new venture emerged. Giodo has the advantage of coming onto the scene when international regard and understanding for Brunello was highest (think back to the excellent 2010 vintage). Carlo has not disappointed. He brings us a modern, forward-thinking wine that is rooted in local Tuscan winemaking tradition (just think, one of his first stints was at Soldera Case Basse years ago). This vintage brings home that signature Giodo personality with black cherry, dark fruit and elegant earthy end notes. At about 18-years-old now, his vines are entering an interesting chapter of their lifespan, and we can expect more great results from this estate. Production for this wine is 12,000 bottles." - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (02/17/2022) Ratings: 95, Drink: 2024-2040

"After the amazing last few years that Giodo has enjoyed, the 2017 vintage doesn’t quite have the same levels of succulence but this is still an exceptional wine. Clear smoke on the first nose, aromatically rich, with touches of rosemary, saffron and white pepper alongside red cherry and raspberry fruit. Hugely concentrated, the tannins take a grip on your palate and tug the fruit back as it moves through the palate, keeping your focus engaged. 30% lower yield than normal. This will be released in September but not available for immediate delivery because it is finishing up its two years in bottle ageing (after three years in barrel). Carlo Ferrini winemaker." - Jane Anson, (07/22/2021) Ratings: 95