Pre-Shipment Offer: Col di Lamo New Releases
18th February 2026
Col di Lamo is very much an A-List address in Montalcino; winning plaudits in Italy and across the world for its elegant yet powerful wines. Owner Giovanni Neri has just released her latest vintages and we are offering the wines at special pre-shipment prices.
For a limited period, unmixed cases of six are offered with 12% off and unmixed twelves with at least 16% off. The wines will be available for delivery in early March.
The Neri family vineyards lie at Torrenieri, just north-east of Montalcino. Torrenieri is relatively low in altitude, at 250-300 metres. Soils are sandstone and clay, with some of the alberese, the limestone-rich land which Sangiovese loves. It’s a warm site and the wines here are always beautifully ripe, powerful, fleshy and well-textured.
The origin story is fascinating. After the death of her father in 1991 the young Giovanna Neri, a law graduate, bravely chose to change careers and make wine, splitting the vineyards with her brother Giacomo of Casanova di Neri. The name is derived from the hill (Col) and one of her estate buildings, Lamo. From 1997 she also planted other small parcels, and she first released her own bottlings in 2003. This project has called for toughness, determination and bank loans – but it was completed with the opening of a smart cellar beside the vines near her home in 2014. Cultivation here has been organic since 2015, certified since the 2018 vintage. It’s an all female run business: Giovanna is assisted by her daughter Diletta and works closely with Mary Ferrara, a viticulturalist and wine maker, an acolyte of famed Sangiovese consultant Maurizio Castelli.
Brunello di Montalcino stands at the summit of Sangiovese-based Tuscan wines. Here the quality of the local Sangiovese clone, known as Brunello, has long been recognised, but the area’s reputation has rocketed since the 1960s as the richness and ageing ability of Brunello became apparent. There has therefore been an expansion of the vineyards, albeit from a tiny base: even now only about 1200 hectares are planted. According to the DOCG rules (often revisited), Brunello has to be aged in barrel for two years and a further two years in bottle before being released; and it has to be 100% Sangiovese (following a series of scandals regarding the inclusion of Cabernet and Merlot in some producers’ Brunello!).
New Releases:
The previous 2022 vintage was scored at 17/20 and described as “baby Brunello” by Jancis Robinson MW (jancisrobinson.com, 8th November 2025). It was also given a glowing review by Victoria Moore in The Daily Telegraph (6th December 2025). The 2023 vintage is slightly and more elegant than its predecessor; aromatic and lifted on the nose with black cherry and plum. Energetic and long with very fine tannins and just a hint of dark chocolate alongside the cherry and almond notes. 2026 - 2031.
“Spicy and classic in an almost baby-Brunello style, showing dark prunes, black truffles, vanilla, earthy minerality, red cherries and blood oranges. Medium-bodied, it las a large palate with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity, precise and layered. 94/100”, JamesSuckling.com, December 2025
The 2021 Brunello vintage has recently been released to critical acclaim with Eric Guido of Vinous writing: “There is something magical about the 2021 Brunellos.”
Col di Lamo’s release is concentrated and intense - frost reduced the crop by some 50% - with silky tannins framing notes of morello cherry, damson and raspberry with subtle hints of sandalwood, spice and orange zest. Excellent oak integration too; it just frames and rounds out the fruit without pushing itself centre-stage. A superbly balanced Brunello. 2027-2035.
“Subtle and complex aromas of red cherries, roses and orange peel follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine tannins that caress your palate and delivery beauty and verve. Persistent and caressing. Gorgeous now, but better in 2027. 96/10”, JamesSuckling.com, January 2026. Plus 98/100, RossoRubino.tv, and 97/100 gardininotes.com
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, 2019
2019 was another stellar vintage in Montalcino and “produced wines with amazing balance, structure and freshness alongside concentrated fruit” according to James Suckling.
Col di Lamo’s Riserva 2019 is just hitting its stride but with plenty left in reserve for cellaring. Intense and powerful, it has full, ripe tannins alongside notes of dried black cherry, clove-studded-oranges and violets. There’s some dark chocolate here too - think 80% or 90% cocoa - and a drop of espresso too. Very long and layered with impeccable balance and excellent ageing potential. Now - 2037.
