2020 Conti Costanti, `Ardingo` Merlot IGT Toscana - Liberty

The Costanti family has owned this 10-hectare estate in Montalcino for over 200 years. Andrea Costanti inherited it from his uncle in the mid-1980s and has worked hard to make Conti Costanti one of the best producers in the region.

The Conti Costanti style is characterised by striking elegance and intensity, combining Montalcino's characteristic power with a fragrancy derived from high-elevation vineyards in the northern part of the zone. These vineyards are planted over 400 metres above sea level on galestro soil, which is typical of the area. This friable rock soil, also found in Chianti Classico, is particularly suited to producing top-quality Sangiovese.

The Rosso di Montalcino is elegant yet intense, offering a wonderful introduction to the Costanti style. The Brunello di Montalcino has wonderful elegance and balance with good concentration and silky tannins. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a fantastically complex example with great structure complemented by balancing acidity, a signature of the estate. The ‘Ardingo’ is a 100% Merlot sourced from a four-hectare vineyard in Monte Calbello. Planted in 1990 at an elevation of 300-350 metres, the soils here are mainly composed of clay. The resulting wine is defined by elegant cherry and red berries aromas, complemented by excellent structure and velvety tannins.

The wine is named for Ardengo della Gherardesca, a valiant knight who founded the Badia Ardenga convent in Montalcino. The Merlot grapes are sourced from a four hectare vineyard planted in 1990 in Monte Calbello, within the Montalcino denomination. It is just 7 kilometers away from Costanti’s main vineyards in upper Montalcino and is located at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level, just a bit lower than Costanti’s other vineyards. The vineyards enjoys western exposure and soil is mainly made of clay.

The 2020 vintage began with a mild winter and rainfall was sparse. March was marked by some frost at the end of the month. Summer was fairly dry and mild, some rainfall at the end of August regenerated the water reserves and replenished the soils. Harvest took place in September while the grapes were at the perfect level of ripeness. Overall, this particular year produced excellent quality wines.