Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Description

Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2017 is a 750ml, 14% ABV Brunello produced from 100% Sangiovese by one of Montalcino’s oldest family estates. It earned 97 points from Wine Enthusiast and was called “one of the stars of the vintage” by Decanter a distinction earned in part because proprietor Andrea Costanti chose not to bottle a Riserva in 2017, channeling the estate’s finest fruit into this single Annata bottling.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14% | Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy | DOCG Brunello di Montalcino | Producer: Conti Costanti

Production & Heritage

The Costanti family has held land in Montalcino for over two centuries, making this one of the appellation’s most historically rooted estates. For the 2017 vintage, the Sangiovese grapes were fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks for approximately two weeks, then aged for a total of 36 months in oak 12 of those months spent in five-hectolitre Allier medium-toasted tonneaux. The decision to forgo a Riserva bottling and direct all top-quality fruit into this Annata is the defining production choice of the vintage, resulting in a standard Brunello with unusual concentration and depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a heady fragrance of ripe dark-skinned berries, dried cherry, and violet, then unfolds into deeper layers of camphor, dark spice, and cedar. Subtle whiffs of crushed herbs and dried citrus peel add an aromatic lift that invites repeated exploration.

Taste: The entry is fleshy yet surprisingly delicate, delivering pure Marasca cherry, blood orange, and ripe red berry fruit at the core. At mid-palate, savory notes of potting soil, licorice, and white pepper emerge alongside a salty mineral streak. The structure is elegantly linear, nicely layered, and underpinned by soft, velvety tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it.

Finish: Long and resolved, with lingering impressions of crushed stone, dusty flowers, and a thread of spiced citrus that persists well after the final sip. The tannins remain fine-grained through the close, leaving a clean, balsamic echo.

How to Drink Costanti Brunello 2017

This Brunello rewards still, unhurried attention serve it at 6265F in a large-bowled glass, ideally after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to let the aromatic complexity fully emerge. Neat appreciation is the primary recommendation for a wine of this caliber. It also pairs beautifully at the table: alongside a classic bistecca alla fiorentina, where its tannin structure mirrors the char of grilled beef; with wild boar rag over pappardelle, echoing its earthy, savory depth; or with aged Pecorino di Pienza, whose salty intensity amplifies the wine’s mineral backbone.

Best For

• Cellaring for a special milestone the 2017 vintage has significant aging potential through the early 2030s and beyond
• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector a benchmark Brunello from a landmark vintage
• Anchoring a Tuscan dinner menu around a structured, food-friendly red
• Adding a critically acclaimed Montalcino estate wine to a diversified cellar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Costanti 2017 taste like? It leads with concentrated Marasca cherry and blood orange, layered with savory notes of licorice, white pepper, potting soil, and a persistent salty minerality, all wrapped in soft, velvety tannins.

How does Costanti 2017 compare to Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino? Both are consistently ranked among Montalcino’s top estates, but Costanti tends toward a more elegantly structured, mineral-driven profile, while Il Poggione often leans richer and more fruit-forward. The 2017 Costanti is further distinguished by the decision to blend Riserva-quality fruit into its Annata, giving it unusual concentration for its tier.

Is Costanti 2017 good for cellaring? Yes the combination of fine-grained tannins, balanced acidity, and layered complexity suggests this wine will develop gracefully through the early 2030s and potentially beyond, though it already drinks well with decanting.

Where is Costanti Brunello made? Conti Costanti is located in the commune of Montalcino in southern Tuscany, Italy, within the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG one of Italy’s most prestigious appellations for Sangiovese-based wines.

What foods pair well with Costanti 2017? Grilled T-bone steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) matches the wine’s tannic structure; wild boar rag complements its earthy, savory character; roasted lamb with rosemary echoes its herbal aromatics; aged Pecorino cheese highlights the salty mineral finish; and porcini mushroom risotto mirrors its forest-floor depth.

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

Is Costanti 2017 worth the price? Costanti positions as a premium estate Brunello, and the 97-point Wine Enthusiast score alongside the unique absence of a Riserva bottling meaning top fruit went into this wine places it among the strongest values in high-end Montalcino for the 2017 vintage.

Why Costanti 2017?

The defining fact of this wine is Andrea Costanti’s decision to skip the Riserva entirely in 2017, folding that superior fruit into the Annata. The result is a standard-tier Brunello that punches well above its classification, a reality reflected by the 97-point score from Wine Enthusiast among the highest marks awarded to any 2017 Brunello. Backed by over two centuries of family winemaking in Montalcino and a production approach that balances tradition (extended oak aging) with restraint (no new oak excess), this is a Brunello that earns its reputation on substance rather than showmanship. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a benchmark expression of the celebrated 2017 vintage, it represents one of the appellation’s most compelling bottlings.