Armilla: is a family-owned estate winery in the Tavernelle area of south-west Montalcino in Tuscany, Italy. Its main wines are Rosso di Montalcino DOC and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
Owner: Ofelia Perugini. Her children are Nicola Giannetti (who works for Col d’Orcia), Ilaria and Fiorella. The family makes the wines without using an external winemaking consultant.
Background: In 1980 Silverio Marchetti bought 4.5 hectares of land and an abandoned house inthe village of Tavernelle, 7km from Montalcino In 1980, after many years of effort, Silverio Marchetti bought 4.5ha of a land and an abandoned house in the village of Tavernelle in the Montalcino region, 7km from Montalcino town centre. Silverio and his wife renovated the house and moved in in 1982. Silverio had worked for many years in a well-known winery in Montalcino and was close to retirement, but he decided to plant and build a small winery. The wine was initially sold from the cask. It could not be called Brunello di Montalcino yet, because it was not possible to join the DOCG at the time. In 1995 however the first vines (9842 m) gained Brunello di Montalcino DOCG status. Their daughters, Ilaria and Fiorella helped as did the grandchildren, Nicola, Fiorella’s son, and Giacomo. In 1997 Silverio Marchetti died, and did not live to see his first bottle sold. The entire family carried on however and Armilla was born.
The Armilla name: In ancient Rome “armilla” was a golden bracelet worn by men and women alike; however, “armilla” also refers to a particular bracelet awarded to Roman soldiers for military merit on the field and worn on the left arm. Here, Armilla demonstrates a promise maintained to the man who created them and the “armilla” is the symbol of continuity: from Silverio to Ofelia, from Silverio to his daughters, from Silverio to his grandchildren.
Estate vineyards: In Tavernelle (next to the Fossacolle and Pieve di Santa Restituta estates), south-west of Montalcino in the direction of Grosseto. Dry climate, ventilated thanks to sea winds. The land in here originates from the decomposition of rocks from the Eocene Period. Geologically speaking, the soil is composed of polygenic conglomerates with a prevalence of calcareous, siliceous and arenaceous elements more or less cemented and imbedded with sandy layers. Rich in minerals and with an average level of fertility, the soil is suitable for the cultivation of vineyards. 3 hectares in total (2ha of which for Brunello di Montalcino). 2.5 hectares are SW-facing, at 320-350 metres on galestro-rich (red) clay mixed with tufa. The remaining 0.5 hectares lie on sloping ground close to the estate on clay and galestro. 5,000 vines per ha. Spurred cordon.
Winery: The winery is situated south-west of Montalcino in the direction of Grosseto.
Wines
Rosso di Montalcino DOC: 2010 2,500 bottles. Fermented in temperature controlled steel tanks. Modern light fruit, simple but effective (Anteprima 2013). | 2012 3,500 bottles. Fermented in steel. Aged 6-8 months in 25hl botti. Nice weight, clean, round, balanced (Anteprima 2014). | 2013 3,500 bottles. Bright fruit, clean and clear, simple, well done (Anteprima 2015). | 2018 3,000 bottles.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG: 2000 Sweet fruit, dry tannin (Anteprima 2005). | 2008 4,000 bottles. Bit linear and simple but OK (Anteprima 2013). | 2009 3,500 bottles. Slightly high tone blackberry fruit (Anteprima 2014). | 2010 7,000 bottles. Soft clear savoury, simple tannins (Anteprima 2015). | 2015 9,000 bottles.
Contact
Armilla
Loc. Tavernelle, 6
53024 Montalcino (SI), Italy
Tel+39 0577.816012