Introduction: Tenuta Croce di Mezzo is one of Montalcino's hidden gems — a small family estate tucked on the road from Montalcino to Castelnuovo d'Abate, situated almost exactly between Biondi Santi and Fattoria dei Barbi, sharing their elevation, soil composition, rainfall, and harvest timing while remaining largely unknown to all but those who seek it out. The estate has been producing Brunello for over fifty years from the historic "Villa de la Croce" area, with winemaking guided by Dr. Paul Vagaggini. It is old-school Montalcino at its most honest — classic in method, generous in character, and extraordinary in value relative to its more celebrated neighbors.

Terroir: The estate vineyard sits at 500 meters above sea level in the historic Villa de la Croce area of Montalcino, on the galestro and clay soils that characterize the appellation's middle and upper elevations. The 2019 vintage was one of the most celebrated in Montalcino's recent history — a wet winter that built deep water reserves followed by a sunny, warm but not extreme summer with near-perfect ripening conditions and no heat spikes. Producers across the denomination describe it as a classic, structured year with abundant fruit, ideal acidity, and fine, ripe tannins that give the wines both immediate appeal and genuine long-term aging potential.

Appearance: Intense ruby red with deep, vivid color and good clarity — youthful and rich in the glass.

Nose: Fresh, expressive, and structured, with spice, red berry, and sour cherry leading a bouquet that opens slowly with air. Dried flowers, tobacco leaf, iron, and an earthy mineral quality develop with decanting, adding the savory complexity that defines classic Montalcino Sangiovese. The large oak aging integrates seamlessly, contributing vanilla and dried herb notes without imposing on the variety's natural character.

Palate: Full-bodied and structured, with the classic architecture of well-made Brunello — firm but noble tannins, bright natural acidity, and a concentrated core of red cherry, plum, and spice that builds across the palate. The 30-month aging in large oak botti and the subsequent bottle aging have given the wine excellent integration and polish while preserving the energy and mineral tension of the 2019 vintage. Rich and long, yet fresh throughout.

Finish: Long and persistent, with spice, dried cherry, licorice, and a firm mineral backbone that sustains the finish through an admirably extended close. The tannins resolve cleanly and the acidity keeps the finish lively and mouthwatering.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, slow-braised wild boar with olives, or roasted leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic
🥦 Vegetarian: Porcini mushroom and truffle tagliatelle, ribollita with aged Pecorino, or roasted eggplant with herbs
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Pecorino di Pienza, Parmigiano Reggiano, cured Cinta Senese, black truffle honey, and dried figs

Overall Impression: The 2019 Croce di Mezzo Brunello di Montalcino is a classically styled, estate-grown Brunello from one of the appellation's most under-the-radar producers — serious, honest, and built in the grand tradition of the denomination. In a vintage widely celebrated as one of the best in Montalcino's recent history, this wine delivers everything Brunello promises at a fraction of its neighbors' prices. Serve at 63–65°F with at least 45 to 60 minutes of decanting; drink from 2025 through 2035.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14%
Farming Practices: Conventional viticulture; estate-grown fruit at 500 meters elevation; hand-harvested
Producer Name: Tenuta Croce di Mezzo
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Italy
Region: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG — Villa de la Croce, Montalcino, Tuscany
Grape Varietals: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello) 100%
Vintage: 2019
Wine Style: Dry Red — Full-bodied and classically structured, with a deep, mineral-driven Brunello profile shaped by high-elevation galestro terroir and traditional large oak aging. Built in the old-school Montalcino style — firm, complex, and long-lived, with genuine aging potential of 10 to 15 years. 
Winemaking Techniques: Hand-harvested; fermentation at controlled temperature; skin maceration approximately 20 days; aged 30 months in 25hL and 32hL oak botti; minimum 8 months bottle refinement before release
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork