Le Chiuse

Le Chiuse's vineyards played a key role in the Biondi-Santi family's wine production from the late 18th century, providing fruit used for Biondi-Santi Riserva bottlings. Tancredi Biondi-Santi, grandson of the founder Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, was the most influential figure in 20th-century Brunello development. His granddaughter Simonetta Valiani regained full ownership of Le Chiuse in the 1990s and decided to produce wine under her own label, partnering with her husband Nicolò Magnelli. The first independently bottled vintage marked Le Chiuse's modern emergence as a standalone estate, with deep family connection to Brunello's founding lineage.

• Le Chiuse vineyards used for Biondi-Santi Riserva bottlings from the late 18th century
• Owner Simonetta Valiani is the granddaughter of Tancredi Biondi-Santi (key 20th-century Brunello figure)
• Simonetta regained full ownership in the 1990s
• Independent bottling under Brunello Le Chiuse label began in the 1990s

The 7-hectare estate sits on the northeast hillside of Montosoli, one of Montalcino's most prestigious sub-zones, at approximately 300 meters elevation. The vineyard parcels enjoy all-day sun exposure on the northeast slope, with the Montosoli hill providing the elevation and aspect that have long made the area a benchmark within the Brunello DOCG. Soils combine the typical Montosoli clay-limestone with marl and stone fragments, providing well-draining yet structured ground for traditional Sangiovese Grosso expression. The vines are exclusively Sangiovese Grosso, the variety required for all Brunello di Montalcino bottlings.

• Northeast hillside of Montosoli at approximately 300 meters elevation
• All-day sun exposure on the prestigious northeast Montosoli slope
• Montosoli clay-limestone with marl and stone fragments
• 100% Sangiovese Grosso plantings as required for Brunello di Montalcino

Lorenzo Magnelli and his mother Simonetta Valiani pursue a rigorously traditional Brunello approach, using indigenous yeasts, gravity-flow vinification, and extended aging in large-format Slavonian oak rather than barrique. The 2016 Brunello, recognized as Wine Spectator's #5 wine of 2021, fermented 23 days on skins with ambient yeasts and aged 38 months in 2,000 to 3,000 liter casks. Organic certification has been in place since 2005, and yields are kept low at approximately 55 quintals per hectare, well below the consorzio limit and supporting concentration without excess extraction. Lorenzo's overseas experience (including the 2005 harvest as cellar master at Rubicon Estate in Napa) preceded his return to Le Chiuse in 2006.

• Rigorously traditional Brunello approach: indigenous yeasts, gravity-flow vinification, large Slavonian oak aging
• 2016 Brunello: 23 days on skins with ambient yeasts; 38 months in 2,000 to 3,000 liter casks
• Organic certified since 2005; low yields of approximately 55 quintals per hectare
• Lorenzo Magnelli managed vineyard and winery work since 2006 after Napa Valley experience

Le Chiuse produces a focused range: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (annata), Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG (selected vintages), and Rosso di Montalcino DOC from the younger-vine 1-hectare parcel. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino was Wine Spectator's #5 wine of 2021, validating the estate's traditional approach at the highest critical level. Production is small given the 7-hectare vineyard surface, with global allocations carefully managed through Frederick Wildman & Sons in the US and other quality-focused importers internationally. The estate has emerged in the 21st century as one of the most respected small-scale traditional Brunello producers.

• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (annata): main production from 6 hectares of Brunello-designated vineyard
• Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG: produced in selected vintages from concentrated parcels
• Rosso di Montalcino DOC: from the younger-vine 1-hectare parcel
• 2016 Brunello: #5 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2021, demonstrating top critical recognition

Le Chiuse represents the small-scale, traditional Brunello model: minimal-intervention winemaking, large-format oak aging, indigenous yeasts, organic farming, and rigorous attention to fruit quality from a single prestigious sub-zone. The estate's direct Biondi-Santi family lineage through Simonetta Valiani connects modern Le Chiuse to Brunello's founding heritage. The 2016 Brunello's top critical recognition validated the traditionalist approach at the highest level and elevated awareness of Montosoli as one of Brunello di Montalcino's most distinguished sub-zones. Le Chiuse anchors the resurgence of attention to micro-zones within the broader DOCG.

• Small-scale, traditional Brunello model with minimal-intervention winemaking
• Direct Biondi-Santi family lineage through Simonetta Valiani
• 2016 Brunello's #5 placement in Wine Spectator's Top 100 validated traditional approach
• Anchors growing attention to Montosoli sub-zone within Brunello di Montalcino DOCG