Donatella Cinelli Colombini Primme Donne Brunello di Montalcino 2011

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Prime Donne Brunello di Montalcino 2011 is a 750ml, 100% Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino DOCG from Tuscany's first all-female winemaking estate. Awarded 92 points by Wine Enthusiast, this 2011 vintage marks a pivotal year for the estate — the launch of its "original style" project emphasizing manual labor, wild-yeast fermentation, and a return to traditional methods.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  DOCG Brunello di Montalcino  |  Producer: Casato Prime Donne (Donatella Cinelli Colombini)

Production & Heritage

Donatella Cinelli Colombini established Casato Prime Donne in 1998 as the first winery in Italy staffed entirely by female winemakers, with consulting enologist Valérie Lavigne guiding the cellar program. The 2011 vintage inaugurated a shift toward older traditions: grapes undergo a 15-day fermentation using indigenous wild yeasts in glass-lined concrete tanks, a deliberate move away from the estate's earlier modern-leaning approach. The wine then ages for at least three and a half years in a combination of traditional oak barrels and 500-liter tonneaux, producing a style the estate describes as less overtly oaked than previous releases while retaining depth and structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Wild berry and truffle emerge first, followed by leather, menthol, and an earthy undertone of sunbaked Tuscan soil. The aromatic profile is layered and evolves considerably with air.

Taste: The palate enters with thick layers of dark fruit — plum, cassis, and mature Morello cherry — before building into black raspberry, white pepper, and licorice at the mid-palate. Tightly wound but ripe tannins frame the firmly structured core, with chopped Mediterranean herbs and sweet spice adding complexity. Moist chewing tobacco and a savory undercurrent lend a distinctly Sangiovese character.

Finish: Long and articulate, with lingering notes of dark fruit, dried herbs, and a fine-grained tannic grip that sustains well beyond the last sip. The finish is generous without heaviness, resolving with subtle spice and earthy minerality.

How to Drink Prime Donne Brunello 2011

Serve at 62–65°F (17–18°C) in a large-bowled Burgundy or Brunello glass. Given its age and tannic architecture, decanting for 45 minutes to an hour opens the aromatic layers considerably, though the wine also rewards patient sipping as it evolves in the glass. This Brunello pairs exceptionally with bistecca alla fiorentina, where its tannins cut through the richness of grilled beef. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle mirrors the wine's earthy, savory complexity. Aged Pecorino Toscano draws out the sweet spice and dark fruit, creating a classic regional pairing.

Best For

• Gifting a Tuscan wine enthusiast or collector of DOCG Italian reds
• Anchoring a multi-course Italian dinner built around game or braised meats
• Celebrating milestones — the 2011 vintage offers age-worthy complexity with current drinkability
• Adding a distinctive, female-produced Brunello to a curated wine collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Prime Donne Brunello 2011 taste like? It delivers thick layers of dark plum, cassis, and Morello cherry supported by white pepper, licorice, Mediterranean herbs, and chewing tobacco, all framed by ripe, tightly wound tannins.

How does Prime Donne Brunello compare to Banfi Brunello di Montalcino? Banfi's Brunello tends toward a more widely accessible, fruit-forward profile, while Prime Donne leans into earthy, truffle-laced complexity with less obvious oak influence, reflecting Cinelli Colombini's shift to wild-yeast fermentation in concrete tanks beginning with the 2011 vintage.

Is Prime Donne Brunello 2011 good for cellaring? With its firm tannic structure and generous fruit concentration, the 2011 is drinking well now but has the backbone to continue developing; Brunello di Montalcino DOCG regulations already require extended aging before release, and this wine's balance suggests further evolution is possible.

Where is Prime Donne Brunello made? It is produced at Casato Prime Donne, Donatella Cinelli Colombini's estate in Montalcino, within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG zone in southern Tuscany, Italy.

What foods pair well with Prime Donne Brunello 2011? Grilled T-bone steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) matches the wine's bold tannins. Wild boar ragù echoes its earthy depth. Braised lamb shanks with rosemary complement the herbal notes. Aged Pecorino cheese highlights the sweet spice. Porcini mushroom risotto mirrors the truffle and forest-floor aromatics.

What sizes does Prime Donne Brunello come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Prime Donne Brunello 2011 worth the price? Prime Donne positions as a premium Brunello di Montalcino expression; its 92-point Wine Enthusiast score, unique all-female production team, and extended oak aging place it among serious, estate-driven Brunellos that justify a higher price tier than entry-level Rosso di Montalcino or mass-produced Sangiovese.

Why Prime Donne Brunello 2011?

The 2011 vintage holds special significance as the first expression of Casato Prime Donne's "original style" program — a deliberate return to wild-yeast fermentation in glass-lined concrete, reduced new-oak influence, and manual vineyard work. Produced entirely by an all-female winemaking team under the guidance of Bordeaux-trained enologist Valérie Lavigne, it stands apart from conventional Brunello both philosophically and stylistically. The result is a wine that earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast and delivers a distinctly terroir-driven interpretation of Montalcino Sangiovese, with less overtly modern oak character than the estate's earlier releases. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a Brunello with genuine provenance and a singular story, this bottling represents something genuinely rare in the appellation.