Amore e Magia Podere Le Ripi Rosso Di Montalcino 2015

Amore e Magia Podere Le Ripi Rosso Di Montalcino 2015 is a biodynamic 100% Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, bottled at 14% ABV (750ml). This single-vineyard expression earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among the top-scoring Rosso di Montalcino wines of the vintage. It comes from a four-hectare parcel on the eastern slopes near Castelnuovo dell'Abate, a sub-zone renowned for warmth, concentration, and expressive Sangiovese character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2015  |  Grape: 100% Sangiovese  |  Producer: Podere Le Ripi

Production & Heritage

Podere Le Ripi is a biodynamic estate situated at 200 to 250 meters above sea level on Montalcino's eastern flank, near the hamlet of Castelnuovo dell'Abate. The vineyard is farmed according to strict biodynamic principles, and the resulting wines reflect the warm, sun-drenched character of this particular exposure. Amore e Magia ("Love and Magic") is one of several single-vineyard bottlings from the estate alongside Lupi e Sirene and Cielo d'Ulisse; notably, the Amore e Magia site was later elevated to Brunello di Montalcino DOCG classification, making the 2015 Rosso a transitional and historically significant release from this parcel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark ruby intensity, offering underbrush, scorched earth, and grilled Mediterranean herbs. Deeper inhalation reveals ripe black-skinned berry fruit, coconut undertones, and an incisive, vertically driven bouquet with notable aromatic lift.

Taste: Full-bodied and savory on entry, the palate builds toward concentrated dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco, and espresso. Mid-palate weight is substantial yet elegant, with assertive but polished tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it. Ripe plum and berry flavors emerge alongside a persistent savory undercurrent.

Finish: The finish is velvety and rich, carrying lingering tobacco, espresso, and dark fruit tones. Tannins remain present but well-integrated, tapering slowly with a dry, earthy close.

How to Drink Amore e Magia

This wine is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in a large-bowled Burgundy or Brunello glass. Decanting for 30 to 60 minutes allows the aromatic complexity to fully unfold. Given its concentration and structure, it also works in select food-forward pairings. A Sangiovese Negroni (substituting a splash of this wine for sweet vermouth) highlights the cherry-bitter interplay. A classic Chianti Spritz variation with sparkling water and a citrus peel lets the herbal aromatics shine. For a rustic aperitivo, a small pour alongside aged Pecorino and salumi acts as its own pairing cocktail of flavors.

Best For

• Gifting to a Tuscan wine enthusiast or Brunello collector
• Pairing with a traditional Florentine bistecca dinner
• Cellaring as a reference point for the 2015 Montalcino vintage
• Exploring biodynamic Italian winemaking at a high-quality level

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Amore e Magia taste like? It is a full-bodied, savory Sangiovese dominated by dried black cherry, licorice, tobacco, and espresso, framed by assertive yet velvety tannins. Aromatic layers of scorched earth, Mediterranean herbs, and dark berry fruit give it notable complexity.

How does Amore e Magia compare to Lupi e Sirene? Both are single-vineyard Sangiovese bottlings from Podere Le Ripi's eastern Montalcino parcels, but Amore e Magia tends toward darker fruit and greater concentration, while Lupi e Sirene is a sibling expression from an adjacent site that offers its own distinct terroir signature.

Is Amore e Magia good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 94-point Wine Enthusiast score reflects a wine built for contemplative drinking, ideally after 30–60 minutes of decanting to let its layered aromatics expand fully.

Where is Amore e Magia made? It is produced at Podere Le Ripi, a biodynamic estate near Castelnuovo dell'Abate on the eastern side of Montalcino in Tuscany, Italy, at elevations between 200 and 250 meters above sea level.

What foods pair well with Amore e Magia? Wild boar ragù over pappardelle highlights the wine's earthy depth. Bistecca alla fiorentina matches its tannin structure. Aged Pecorino Toscano mirrors its savory profile. Roasted lamb with rosemary echoes the herbal aromatics. Dark chocolate with espresso complements the finish.

What sizes does Amore e Magia come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Amore e Magia worth the price? With a 94-point score from Wine Enthusiast, biodynamic certification, and single-vineyard provenance from one of Montalcino's prized eastern parcels, it positions as a premium expression that over-delivers relative to many similarly priced Rosso di Montalcino bottlings — particularly from the celebrated 2015 vintage.

Why Amore e Magia?

The 2015 vintage is widely regarded as one of the finest in modern Montalcino history, and this bottling captures it from a specific four-hectare site that was subsequently elevated to full Brunello classification — making this Rosso di Montalcino release a transitional rarity. Biodynamic farming at Podere Le Ripi yields fruit of uncommon concentration and aromatic purity, confirmed by a 94-point rating from Wine Enthusiast. The combination of eastern-slope terroir near Castelnuovo dell'Abate, strict biodynamic viticulture, and a benchmark vintage gives this wine a level of depth and structure that challenges many Brunello bottlings at higher price points. For collectors and serious Sangiovese drinkers, it represents one of the most compelling values from the 2015 Montalcino harvest.