Mastro Janni Rosso Di Montalcino 2023

Mastrojanni Rosso di Montalcino 2023 is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV Tuscan red wine made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso in the Montalcino DOC. This vintage earned 92 points from Wine Advocate (Robert Parker), which praised it as "bright, transparent and immediately appealing," placing it among the top-scoring Rosso di Montalcino releases of the year.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  Rosso di Montalcino DOC  |  Vintage: 2023  |  Producer: Mastrojanni

Production & Heritage

Mastrojanni was founded in 1975 by Alfeo Martini in southern Montalcino and is now owned by the Illy family. The estate sits near Mount Amiata, an extinct volcano whose cold nighttime winds create a pronounced diurnal temperature shift, preserving acidity in the grapes while also shielding the vineyards from hailstorms. Fruit is hand-harvested from eight hectares spanning multiple elevations, exposures, and soil types composed of clay and sandstone. After gentle pressing, juice is transferred by gravity into concrete vats for a minimum 15-day maceration with skin contact. The wine then ages for six months in Allier oak barrels and concrete vats, followed by at least four months in bottle. Total production is limited to roughly 37,000 bottles, and the estate has been in conversion to biodynamic viticulture since 2022.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crushed cherry and red plum, layered with violet and lavender. Underneath, dried herbs and a subtle wet-stone minerality add complexity.

Taste: On entry, juicy sour cherry and wild berry fruit arrive with immediate vibrancy. The mid-palate fills out with cassis and ripe blue fruit, supported by fine, polished tannins and lively acidity. At its peak, a savory balsamic quality and gentle spice emerge, giving the wine a classic Sangiovese structure without heaviness.

Finish: Medium in length with a chewy, mineral crunch and lingering violet florals. Clean and savory, with subtle earthy undertones that invite another sip.

How to Drink Mastrojanni Rosso

This wine is best served at 60–65°F (16–18°C) and drinks beautifully on its own with a brief 15–20 minute decant to open up the aromatics. It is a versatile food wine that also works in lighter wine-based cocktails: a Kalimotxo with cola and a squeeze of lemon for a casual summer drink; a classic Sangria where its bright cherry and floral character carries the base without being masked by sweetener; or a New York Sour, where its acidity and fruit intensity float gracefully atop a whiskey sour.

Best For

• Introducing someone to high-quality Sangiovese from Montalcino without the price of Brunello
• Weeknight Italian dinners where a serious but approachable red is called for
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates small-production Tuscan reds
• Building a Montalcino vertical or comparative tasting alongside Brunello

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mastrojanni Rosso taste like? It delivers vibrant cherry and wild berry fruit with fine tannins, lively acidity, and a savory, mineral-driven finish accented by violet and dried herbs.

How does Mastrojanni Rosso compare to Ciacci Piccolomini Rosso di Montalcino? Both estates are located in the prized Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone of southern Montalcino and produce 100% Sangiovese Grosso wines that score in the 90–92 point range across major publications. Mastrojanni tends toward a more mineral, terroir-specific profile shaped by its Mount Amiata microclimate, while Ciacci Piccolomini is often noted for slightly richer, more fruit-forward generosity.

Is Mastrojanni Rosso good for sipping neat? Absolutely — Wine Advocate described it as "clean, accessible and easy-drinking," making it an ideal stand-alone pour that also rewards a short decant to reveal its aromatic layers.

Where is Mastrojanni Rosso made? Mastrojanni is located in southern Montalcino, Tuscany, near Mount Amiata, within the Rosso di Montalcino DOC. The estate draws fruit from eight hectares of vineyard planted on clay and sandstone soils at varying elevations.

What foods pair well with Mastrojanni Rosso? Its bright acidity and savory tannins make it a natural match for pappardelle with wild boar ragù, roasted pork loin with rosemary, grilled lamb chops, aged pecorino cheese, or a classic margherita pizza where the cherry fruit complements tomato sauce.

What sizes does Mastrojanni Rosso come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Mastrojanni Rosso worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Rosso di Montalcino that punches above its tier — a 92-point Wine Advocate score and limited production of only 37,000 bottles represent strong value within the DOC, especially relative to the estate's acclaimed Brunello bottlings.

Why Mastrojanni Rosso?

What separates this wine from the broader Rosso di Montalcino field is Mastrojanni's singular site near Mount Amiata, where volcanic geology and dramatic temperature swings produce Sangiovese with uncommon mineral tension and aromatic lift. The 2023 vintage confirmed the estate's standing with a 92-point rating from Wine Advocate and 91 points from both James Suckling and Vinous Media. With biodynamic conversion underway since 2022 and total production capped at 37,000 bottles, Mastrojanni remains one of the most terroir-specific, small-production Rosso di Montalcino wines available — a serious expression of southern Montalcino that stands on its own rather than merely serving as a "little Brunello."