Costanti
A venerable Tuscan producer synonymous with elegant, age-worthy Brunello di Montalcino and the innovative Vino Nobile di Montepulciano blend.
Costanti is a historic family-owned winery in Montepulciano, Tuscany, founded in 1979 by Andrea Costanti and now led by his children, producing benchmark wines from the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and lesser-known still wines. The estate is particularly renowned for its powerful yet refined reds based on Sangiovese (locally called Prugnolo Gentile) and experimental blends that challenge traditional Tuscan conventions. With approximately 15 hectares of vineyard, Costanti represents the intersection of old-world tradition and modern winemaking philosophy in one of Italy's most prestigious wine regions.
- Founded in 1979 by Andrea Costanti in Montepulciano, situated in southern Tuscany's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG zone
- The estate operates approximately 15 hectares of organically-farmed vineyards at altitudes between 500-650 meters, optimizing phenolic ripeness
- Flagship wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva, consistently scoring 94-97 points in major international competitions
- Costanti produces a controversial but acclaimed Chardonnay-based white wine, departing from regional convention and showcasing Montepulciano's terroir flexibility
- The winery practices extended maceration (3-4 weeks) and ages Vino Nobile in a mix of French barriques and larger Slavonian oak for 24+ months
- Second label 'Rosso di Montepulciano' provides early-drinking expression of estate fruit, typically released after 18 months in barrel
- Member of the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano since foundation, actively participating in regional quality standards elevation
Definition & Origin
Costanti is a small, family-operated winery established by Andrea Costanti in 1979 in the hilltop town of Montepulciano, Tuscany's southeastern wine region. The estate emerged during a critical period of terroir recognition in Montepulciano, contributing to the elevation of the appellation from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOC (1980) to DOCG status (1988). Costanti's founding philosophy emphasized sustainable viticulture and expressive winemaking that honored the region's Sangiovese heritage while respecting individual vintage characteristics.
- Established 1979 in Montepulciano (elevation 600+ meters), one of Tuscany's highest wine villages
- Family structure: Andrea Costanti (founder) with current leadership under his children's stewardship
- DOCG production focus: minimum 80% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese clone), max 20% other Tuscan varieties
Why Costanti Matters
Costanti represents a critical voice in contemporary Tuscan wine discourse, bridging traditionalist Sangiovese expression with selective modernist interventions like temperature-controlled fermentation and French oak aging. The winery's commitment to organic viticulture (certified since 2010) in a region historically reliant on conventional practices has influenced younger producers toward sustainability. Additionally, Costanti's willingness to experiment with non-traditional varieties—particularly cool-climate whites—has challenged the notion that Montepulciano is exclusively a red wine territory.
- Organic certification demonstrates commitment to environmental stewardship in Montepulciano's fragile limestone soils
- Influential advocate for extended bottle aging protocols; 2010 vintage Riserva still developing secondary complexity in 2024
- Mentorship role: multiple Montepulciano producers cite Costanti's technical innovations as foundational to their own programs
Vineyard & Terroir Profile
Costanti's vineyard holdings comprise approximately 15 hectares distributed across the Montepulciano plateau, with south-facing parcels benefiting from intense diurnal temperature variation (often 18-22°C swing in September). The distinctive Montepulciano terroir combines calcareous clay soils with weathered sandstone, producing wines with pronounced minerality and acidity retention even in riper vintages. Prugnolo Gentile (the local Sangiovese clone) thrives in this high-altitude environment, typically achieving full phenolic maturity at 12.5-13.5% ABV with vibrant acidity profiles (pH 3.2-3.4).
- Soil composition: 60% limestone-clay, 25% sandstone, 15% iron-rich marl; favorable for Sangiovese acidity preservation
- Vintage variation: 2015 Riserva (warm, ripe): 13.2% ABV; 2016 Riserva (cool, elegant): 12.8% ABV with pronounced tannin structure
- Organic pest management employs sulfur dusting and pheromone disruption rather than synthetic fungicides
Signature Wines & Winemaking
Costanti's flagship expression is the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva, aged minimum 36 months (24 in oak, 12 in bottle) and released only in exceptional vintages like 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2019. The winemaking protocol emphasizes long cool maceration (20-28 days at 18-22°C) to extract color and mid-palate tannin without excessive extraction, followed by malolactic fermentation in 50% new French oak and 50% neutral Slavonian oak. The non-Riserva Vino Nobile expression offers excellent mid-range quality at 18-24 months aging, while the Rosso di Montepulciano provides immediate gratification with softer tannins and fruit-forward aromatics.
- 2015 Riserva: 95 Parker Points; classic profile of cherry liqueur, dried herb, graphite, 40+ year cellaring potential
- Fermentation temperature control (18-20°C) preserves volatile acidity compounds essential to Sangiovese's aromatic profile
- Costanti avoids fining and filtration in Riserva bottlings, resulting in natural evolution and potential sediment after 8+ years
Recognition & Market Position
Costanti occupies an intermediate market position—respected by serious collectors and sommeliers but less internationally visible than Brunello di Montalcino megaproducers like Biondi-Santi or Altesino. Parker, Galloni, and Advocate consistently score Costanti Riservas in the 94-97 range, with particular praise for phenolic maturity and aging potential. The winery's production (approximately 40,000 bottles annually) remains deliberately small, emphasizing quality over volume and limiting distribution to approximately 15 countries with strong Italian wine cultures.
- Michelin 3-star restaurants in Italy (Osteria Francescana, Piazza Duomo) feature Costanti's selections on premium wine lists
- Secondary market pricing: 2015 Riserva trades at €65-85 retail (€120-150 for mature 2010 vintage)
- Critical recognition: consistently appears in 'best value Tuscan wines' rankings within €40-60 price band
Aging Potential & Evolution
Costanti Riserva wines demonstrate remarkable aging capacity, with 2010 and 2012 vintages still in primary fruit evolution with 15+ years ahead of development. The combination of high acidity (fixed acidity 5.5-6.2 g/L), moderate alcohol, and structured tannins creates ideal conditions for extended bottle aging and gradual tannin polymerization. Non-Riserva Vino Nobile ages gracefully for 8-12 years, while Rosso di Montepulciano reaches optimal drinking window at 4-7 years, offering immediate complexity without cellaring requirement.
- Optimal drinking window: Riserva 2015+ (currently 2025-2055); 2012 vintage approaching secondary flavors (tobacco, leather, dried rose)
- Expected evolution: cherry/plum → dried fruit, mineral, tertiary leather complexity after 8-10 years in proper storage
- Riserva bottles stored at 12°C show minimal cork taint or seepage; recommend decanting 30-45 minutes before service for optimal aromatic release
Costanti Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva presents a complex sensory experience: primary aromas of dark cherry, plum, and crushed violet with secondary notes of dried rosemary, graphite, and leather. On the palate, the wine displays elegant mid-weight structure with fine-grained tannins, bright acidity (pH 3.3-3.4), and a mineral-driven finish reflecting the limestone terroir. Non-Riserva expressions emphasize juicy red fruit (cherry, raspberry), dusty tannins, and herbaceous undertones (sage, thyme) with fresher, more accessible profiles suitable for younger consumption.