Serious Brunello lovers know of Casanova di Neri’s Giacomo, winner of Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year, etc.

But few have even heard of Col di Lamo by Giovanna Neri, his sister.

Until today. Meet the greatest ever vintage of Col di Lamo. Her feminine touch may not culminate in a massive display of muscle and intensity that needs decades to soften, but it does yield a profoundly delicious, and immediately accessible Brunello.

Giacomo’s style is “unapologetically modern” per Vinous. Gianna and her daughter Diletta take a more traditional approach to Brunello, embracing Sangiovese Grosso’s pretty, silky and savory side. By collaborating with top consultant Maurizio Castelli (La Ragnaie, Mastrojanni, Grattamacco, etc.) for the first time with this 2015 vintage, this vision comes to life even more vividly. Still, it’s no slouch as Suckling described it as “full-bodied and powerful, yet agile”.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Brunello this gorgeous for $45, thanks to our insane discount via a direct import opportunity we’re glad to share with you. Only a handful of outlets have access to this wine in the US, and our price is BY FAR the best as usual.

In the glass a vibrant scarlet turns garnet on the rim, fairly translucent within. The nose is redolent with red cherries, dusty earth, and a sprinkling of sweet baking spices. The palate is fascinatingly silky, with a smooth and soothing edge of fresh herbs poking through a juicy core of dried raspberries, plum compote, and gardenias in full bloom. The finish resonates with candied citrus peels, a savory and intriguing hint of soppressata, black tea, and raspberry leaf. This haunting Brunello is a match made in heaven for a Ragù drenched, hand-rolled egg pasta dish with fresh basil and Parmiggiano of course.

While this younger project has yet to garner the global limelight it justly deserves, the press seems to be barely catching up with the quality leap here, so we seek guidance from the governing body Consorzio del vino Brunello di Montalcino where they rave that “Col di Lamo is one of the most dynamic and innovative emerging wineries in the local landscape. An exclusive, all-female reality, owned by Giovanna Neri and her daughter Diletta, with a small production of absolute quality and refinement.”

Glad to get you in on something so exciting and new from the land of tradition, the epitome of Tuscany. For those who always like to have the next best thing before anyone else does.

Now for some bad news. This won’t make it all day with what we got, that’s what’s up so act quickly.

PS: Still with us? For a fun comparison, snag one of Giacomo’s 2015 Casanova di Neri. We dropped a few bottles in the store – highly limited though!!

95 Points – James Suckling

“This is a very pretty Brunello that shows fresh red cherries, strawberries, citrus, nutmeg, rose petals and cedar. Great combination of finesse and concentration. Silky tannins and chewy fruit are a winner. Full-bodied and powerful, yet agile. Drink from 2022.”

94 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a remarkably pretty bouquet of rosy florals, ripe strawberry, and subtle spice, as the 2015 Col di Lamo evolves into a more savory display, with hints of rosemary and black olive. On the palate, silky textures give way to a savory blend of crushed cherry and raspberry, with hints of spicy citrus, rosy florals, and mineral tones developing over a coating of fine tannins. The finish is long, resonating on floral-laced red fruits and savory spice with a tug of youthful tannin on the cheek. This is a wonderfully pure, balanced, and enjoyable expression of the vintage. Drink 2024-2032.”

93 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Col di Lamo is located at the northeast corner of the appellation, in an area that has performed nicely in some of the warmer vintages of the past years, thanks to the cooler microclimate found here. Farming is organic. Giovanna Neri decided not to release her Brunello in 2014, but this pretty release from 2015 brings her portfolio nicely up to date. The Col di Lamo 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is a standout wine that offers a great balance of dark fruit and savory spice. It is fruit-forward, but it hits all the classic Brunello selling points. It shows emphasis on the dark side of the wine (with black cherry, black currant and plum) that is very much in line with this vintage. You might get a hint of ripeness too, with some blackberry preserves and cherry confit, but despite that more overt softness, the wine fully shows the elegance of the vintage. It’s a great effort for organic farming. Drink 2021-2033.”