Palazzo
Region
Palazzo’s foundation coincides with Montalcino’s emergence as a prestigious wine appellation. Founders Cosimo Loia and Antonietta Palazzo left post-WWII Italy to find better opportunities, ultimately settling in Scotland, where they opened an Italian restaurant and made their own wine from Italian grapes. Nearing retirement, they dreamed of returning to Italy, and eventually did so in 1982, purchasing a hillside farm with an olive grove in Montalcino. In 1985, a harsh winter killed their olive trees, leading them to plant grapevines instead. Cosimo sold grapes until 1994 when he could afford to make his own wine, producing just 1,000 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino. Over the years, production grew to 1,200 cases annually. Since Cosimo’s passing in 2012, Antonietta and their children, Angelo and Elia, have continued the winery’s legacy, organically farming 4.2 hectares surrounding the winery. Angelo oversees the vineyards, while Elia manages operations with her mother’s help while also working at Val di Suga.
Wines
Brunello di Montalcino
The Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino is crafted from organic estate vines with a commitment to tradition. While some Montalcino producers use barriques or shorten aging to meet the 24-month mandate, Palazzo opts for over 36 months in Slavonian oak. This dedication yields a wine with intense ruby hues, garnet reflections, and a refined balance of soft tannins, savory mineral notes, and its signature artisanal character.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
The Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is crafted from organic estate vines and made only in top vintages from the finest plots. While some producers use barriques or shorten aging to meet the 24-month mandate, Palazzo stays true to 48 months in Slavonian oak. The result is a vivid ruby wine with an ample, complex nose of balsamic, sage, rosemary, and red fruits. Full-bodied and balanced, it boasts a seductive, tannic finish.
Brunello di Montalcino Cosimo
Cosimo is an elegant Brunello dedicated to the memory of the founder, Cosimo Loia, who strongly believed in the potential of the vineyards in Montalcino. The grapes for this wine are harvested from the first vineyard planted by Cosimo in 1985, and the wine is only made in the best years. It has notes of medicinal herbs, red roses, spices and small red ripe fruits. On the palate, this wine a powerful, elegant, and concentrated, with great minerality and acidity.
Rosso di Montalcino
In the great tradition of Montalcino, this is truly a “baby Brunello.” The organically farmed estate plots used for the Rosso are determined by taste every year. The wine is aged 12-15 months in large Slavonian oak casks before determining which parcels are destined for this Rosso versus Brunello. The structure is that of a younger wine: simple and fresh with hints fruit on the nose. The fruity aromas carry over to the palate, making for an elegant and delicious wine for Brunello lovers on a budget.
