Sasso di Luna Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020

Tradition and legacy have a whole different meaning at SassodiSole, the winery producing Sasso di Luna, where the Terzuoli family has crafted wines since the 17th century. Winegrowing and winemaking are in their blood, and the family motto is “il rispetto della terra è l’unico modo per ottenere un buon vino,” which translates to “respect for the land is the only way to obtain a great wine”. This is why they’ve always personally managed their ten hectares from the grape growing, to the winemaking, to the cellaring. All family members have a hand in the production of wine, with the elders passing down the traditions and the next generation introducing new technologies to honor those practices. The Sasso di Luna wines offer an opportunity to showcase the fruit of their younger vines.

The estate is just northeast of Montalcino, which is one of Tuscany’s driest areas with only 28 inches of average rainfall a year. This arid climate and the increased sun exposure of the Sasso di Luna plots, in particular, force the vines to dig deep into clay and limestone soils, resulting in expressive, well-structured wines. Montalcino is known for “Brunello”, the colloquial name for the Sangiovese Grosso grape widely grown in the region. For centuries, the grape was thought to be different than Sangiovese and indigenous to Montalcino. Researchers eventually discovered that the two were genetically identical, and the Brunello name transitioned to the DOCG designation we know today.

To earn the Brunello di Montalcino designation, the wine must be 100% Sangiovese, aged for at least 2 years in oak casks (traditionally large Slovenian casks that allow maximum oxygen exposure) and 4 months in bottle, and cannot be released until the 5th year after harvest. It goes without saying that producing these wines is a commitment, and the Terzuoli family is nothing if not committed to their craft.

Sangiovese Grosso is a thicker-skinned grape that produces big fruit flavors, intense tannins, and high acidity. The combination of the high tannin and high acidity makes Brunello di Montalcino a fantastic wine for aging. The wine can change quite a bit stylistically with age, which, in our opinion, is an opportunity to cellar a few extra bottles to experience over time as they transform. In 2026, the nose gives off aromas of dark cherries, plums, chocolate, pomegranates, and blueberries. The same fruits are present on the palate with medium to medium-full body and splendid balance of acidity and tannin. Whether you’re grilling pork chops or sausages this Summer, a glass of the Sasso di Luna will be a perfect pairing.