{"title":"La Rasina","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"la-rasina-brunello-di-montalcino","title":"La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLa Rasina Brunello di Montalcino\u003c\/strong\u003e is a full-bodied DOCG red wine made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso, bottled at 14–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage earned 96 points from James Suckling, and recent vintages consistently score in the 93–95 range from the same critic, placing this among Montalcino's most dependable estate-bottled Brunellos.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 14–14.5%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  DOCG  |  Producer: Santi Mantengoli\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLa Rasina is a fourth-generation Montalcino family estate with over 120 years of dedication to Sangiovese. The Mantengoli family farms organically, relying on natural yeasts and minimal sulfur additions throughout the winemaking process. Bunches are harvested at full maturity, then undergo natural fermentation using an integrative oxygen method before spending 24 months in medium-to-large oak barrels (20 and 40 hectoliters), followed by a minimum of six months of bottle aging. The choice of larger-format oak—rather than barriques—preserves the grape's varietal character and keeps the focus squarely on fruit and terroir rather than wood influence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark berries and black prune emerge first, giving way to cocoa, cedar, and a thread of incense. Deeper in the glass, hints of clove, walnut, and Mediterranean herbs develop as the wine opens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is concentrated and silky, with ripe blackberry, liquored fruit, and spiced cherry forming a dense mid-palate. Asian spices and tea leaves add complexity, while firm yet polished tannins provide structure without aggression. The body is full and enveloping, with an unmistakable wild, earthy character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and chocolaty, with lingering notes of dark fruit, licorice, and soft oak. The tannins resolve into a velvety texture that invites another sip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink La Rasina Brunello\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eServe at 60–65°F (16–18°C) after decanting for at least an hour; this wine rewards patience and opens considerably with air. A large Burgundy-style glass helps concentrate the complex aromatics. For cocktail-adjacent use, La Rasina Brunello works beautifully in a \u003cstrong\u003eSangiovese Sangria\u003c\/strong\u003e built with dark stone fruits and a cinnamon stick, a \u003cstrong\u003eBrunello Reduction\u003c\/strong\u003e spooned over seared steak as a culinary application, or a classic \u003cstrong\u003eKalimotxo\u003c\/strong\u003e reimagined with premium cola for an unconventional but surprisingly satisfying pairing—though most will rightly prefer to drink this one straight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting an Italian wine enthusiast who appreciates organic, terroir-driven reds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchoring a Tuscan-themed dinner party centered on braised meats or wild game\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring for 10–15 years to explore how Sangiovese Grosso evolves with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarking a milestone anniversary or birthday with a critically acclaimed DOCG wine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does La Rasina Brunello taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It delivers a concentrated, silky palate of blackberry, spiced cherry, and dark chocolate, framed by firm but velvety tannins and a long, licorice-tinged finish. The overall impression is full-bodied and enveloping with a distinctive wild, earthy character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does La Rasina Brunello compare to Rosso di Montalcino?\u003c\/strong\u003e Rosso di Montalcino shares the same Sangiovese Grosso grape and many of the same producers, but it requires far less aging and is generally lighter and more immediately approachable. La Rasina Brunello undergoes a minimum of 24 months in oak plus additional bottle aging, resulting in deeper concentration, more complex tannins, and significantly greater aging potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs La Rasina Brunello good for sipping neat?\u003c\/strong\u003e Absolutely—this is first and foremost a wine to savor on its own or alongside food, ideally after a proper decanting of at least one hour to let the tannins soften and the aromatics fully unfold.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is La Rasina Brunello made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by the Mantengoli family at their La Rasina estate in Montalcino, a hilltop commune in southern Tuscany, Italy, within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG appellation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with La Rasina Brunello?\u003c\/strong\u003e Bistecca alla Fiorentina (grilled T-bone) highlights the wine's dark fruit and tannin structure. Slow-braised wild boar ragù mirrors its earthy, spiced character. Aged Pecorino Toscano provides a salty, nutty counterpoint. Porcini mushroom risotto echoes the wine's forest-floor aromatics. Dark chocolate torte complements the cocoa and licorice tones on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does La Rasina Brunello come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs La Rasina Brunello worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e La Rasina positions as a mid-tier Brunello di Montalcino—more affordable than marquee estates yet consistently earning scores of 93–96 from James Suckling, which places it among the appellation's strongest values for organically farmed, estate-bottled Brunello.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy La Rasina Brunello?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConsistent critical acclaim across multiple vintages—including 96 points from James Suckling for the 2015—demonstrates that La Rasina delivers at a level well above its price tier. The Mantengoli family's commitment to organic viticulture, natural yeasts, and minimal intervention gives the wine an authenticity that reflects its Montalcino terroir rather than winemaker manipulation. Aging in larger-format oak barrels preserves the purity of Sangiovese Grosso, resulting in a Brunello that feels classic rather than modern. For drinkers who want a genuine, family-produced Brunello with four generations of knowledge behind it, La Rasina represents one of the appellation's most compelling choices.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"La Rasina","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837789139113,"sku":"20930","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/La-Rasina-Brunello-di-Montalcino__04617.jpg?v=1730494418"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/la-rasina.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}