Agricola Centolani, Tenuta Friggiali e Pietranea is an estate winery located in Località Strada Maremmana in Montalcino in Tuscany, Italy. It produces Sant’Antimo Rosso DOC, Rosso di Montalcino DOC and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. 

Owner: The Peluso Centolani family. | Contact: Luca Saladini (sales).

Estate vineyards: 60ha of vines in total on two estates comprising 200ha of land in total.

Vineyards–Tenuta Friggiali: The original core of the estate is named Friggiali (‘frigid, cool’), from the Latin meaning ‘windy field.’ This is the site of the winery and cellar. Its 100% Sangiovese vines lie on the south-west slope of Montalcino, at 450 to 200 metres, overlooking a plain dotted with cypresses, centuries-old villas and castles (the most famous of which is naw The Banfi winery’s Poggio alle Mura, dating back to the 13th century).. Luca Saladini told me on 14 Oct 2014 the soil was “Galestroso. Not much sand. 23ha here in 8 sub-zones. More traditional style from here, tighter, fresher acidity compare to Pietranera. For long ageing.  Ages in large oak vats of 30-50hl. Slavonian.

The vineyards are in three main blocks, each with a different traditional name. The first large vineyard that visitors encounter to the right when travelling down the road from Montalcino itself is called Pietrafocaia. 8ha of vines. The site is shaped like a giant sleeping on his side, it is thus named because of the firestone which characterises this vineyard whose grapes, made into wine according to the tradition of single vineyards, produce a deep coloured and heavy-bodied wine.

Other vineyards lie along the road through the vineyards, named “the Maremmana”, Friggiali’s vineyards encompass the cellar, the modern offices and a small Relais. The name Friggiali probably derives from the popularisation of the Latin Frigidi meaning “fresh and ventilated” and it is curious to note how the old toponymy of this area reflected the peculiarity of each individual vineyard. Actually, in Friggiali more than elsewhere, the wind dries vines after rainfall protecting them against dreaded oidium. The cru called Poggiotondo can be seen from the hilltop next to the manor’s house. It is the southernmost one of Tenuta Friggiali, its vineyards lie on a plain at the foot of the estate and are particularly luxuriant and flourishing.

Vineyards–Pietranera: The name was given by the current owners. The vines are in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, 1km from Sant’Antimo Abbey. Pietranera has vineyards, olive groves, arable land and woods. Luca Saladini told me on 14 Oct 2014 there are “20ha in 7 zones. The name refers to the dark volcanic soil. The soil is more mineral, volcanic soil. 250 m. South-east facing. This area is hotter than Friggiali. Lower, warmer, in a valley, less wind here. Ripening is 2 weeks earlier here usually compared to Friggiali. Use smaller wood for this wine: both French tonneaux (MLF) and smaller Slavonian botti.”

Winemaking: Grapes from different terroirs are vinified apart according to site and altitude. Around 20 lots each vintage.

Red wines

Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Tenuta Friggiali: From the vineyard of that name which is by the winery. | 2012 50,000 bottles. Cool nose, quite aromatic, bit light on palate (2014). | 2013 40,000 bottles.

Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Pietranera: Usually 60,000-70,000 bottles.  2012 20,000 bottles. Riper, deeper and rounder than the Friggiali Rosso at Benvenuto Brunello Feb 2014. | 2013 30,000 bottles. | 2014 Fluid simple red fruit at Benvenuto Brunello 2016.

Brunello di Montalcino DOC, Tenuta Friggiali: Usually 90,000 bottles. | 2007 Aged over 30 months in French oak. | 2008 £15-29.99. Clear, ripe, good weight of fruit and tannnin (Silver at DWWA May 2013). | 2009 90,000 bottles. Classic style, closed, round but structured tannin (Anteprima 2014). | 2010 90,000 bottles. Much sweeter-tasting than the Poggiotondo Brunello 2010 (Anteprima 2014). | 2011 Easy, plummy, simple, dryish end (Anteprima Feb 2016).

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Poggiotondo: ‘Round hill’. | Single vineyard wine. | 2007 Over 30 months in French oak. | 2009 30,000 bottles. L3189. 14%. Cedar garnet colour. Sweet fruit. Light, fluid, lacks a bit of clarity at the Consorzio Tues 27th May 2014 with Ian d’Agata and others. | 2010 40,000 bottles. Savoury, open knit (Anteprima 2014).

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Pietranera: 2008 £15-29.99. Ripe, intense, depth and ripeness allied to firm tannin, lovely perfumed fruit Silver, DWWA 2013). | 2009 60,000 bottles. Very different in style to the Friggiali Brunello 2009, more open, wider tannins (Anteprima 2014). 2009 L3161. 14%. Nice ruby garnet Open simple fruit with some jelly flavours (at the Consorzio Tues 27th May 2014 with Ian d’Agata and others). | 2010 70,000 bottles. Very ripe again, savoury-sweet fruit (Anteprima 2014). | 2011 Savoury fruit with a slight blur but nice and savoury too (Anteprima 2016).

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva: 2010 Very attractive (Anteprima 2016).

Contact

Agricola Centolani, Tenuta Friggiali e Pietranera

Loc. Friggiali

I-53024 Montalcino (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577.849314 or 454

Website: See here

Relais Friggiali: A recently restored hotel dating back to the XIX° century in the town of Montalcino.