Le Ragnaie is the greatest thing to emerge in Montalcino so far this century. It may be the greatest thing to emerge in Montalcino since the rise of Soldera, with whom they have much in common: an uncompromising adherence to tradition (aging exclusively in large neutral Slavonian oak barrels, ultra-long macerations), natural farming, minimal intervention in the cellar, and excellent terroir. But there is one way in which Le Ragnaie stands apart from Soldera that makes their wines even more extreme: high altitudes. Le Ragnaie farms the highest altitude vines in Brunello di Montalcino! Some vineyards are so high up that they are above Brunello di Montalcino's legal limit of 600 meters. The 2021 Le Ragnaie is a breathtakingly elegant and "high-altitude" expression of Sangiovese, reflecting the tension and poise of a classic vintage. Sourced from some of the highest vineyards in the region, the nose is exceptionally perfumed and lifted, offering scents of wild roses, red cherries, and cassis layered over delicate notes of cedar, wet earth, and stone dust. On the palate, it is silky and vertical, balancing a vibrant acidity with finely polished, powdery tannins and a core of pure red fruit. The finish is long and ethereal, marked by a savory mineral snap and a lingering floral intensity. A sophisticated and "Burgundian" style of Brunello that prizes precision and grace over sheer power.