Est. 2001. Importer & Distributor of Fine Wine, Craft Spirits, and Ginjo Sake

Home | Producers | Pian dell'Orino

Pian dell'Orino
www.piandellorino.com

Caroline Pobitzer and Jan Hendrik Erbach


Downloads
 
Decanter May 2013 - Rising Star Pian dell'Orino
Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Montalcino
People: Caroline Pobitzer and Jan Hendrik Erbach, Owners & Winemakers



Everything about this winery breathes. The cellar was created according to organic principles and with full respect for the landscape. The construction was made with material that "breathe" – clay, wood, lime and stones gathered from the vineyards themselves. The round shape was conceived as a cradle, an ideal and harmonious location. The fermentation at Pian dell'Orino is induced by naturally occurring yeasts from the grape skins. No extra yeasts, no industrial enzymes or further additives of any kind disturb the authenticity and the taste of the vineyards. From the start the goal is to create and sustain the maximum harmony possible between vineyard, climate, soil and mankind. Energy has great importance in the organization. In particular the phases of the moon are an important point of reference on the decision making. The vines have never been treated with herbicides, chemical pesticides, insecticides or soluble mineral fertilizers. Their immune system is reinforced by special infusions that they make with nettles, equisetum and yarrow and biodynamic preparations.

Caroline Pobitzer & Jan Hendrik Erbach make wines of extraordinary quality. In Montalcino there are only 3,000 hectares of vineyards. Consequently the terroir are multiple and so different to each other that every Brunello has its own personality and its own tale to tell in the glass. The wines made of Sangiovese come from four different vineyards that have a total area of 6 hectares. The four estate vineyards are Pian dell’Orino, Pian Bossolino, Cancello Rosso and Scopeta. The growth system we use is "single spur cordon system." Adjacent to the Biondi Santi property, Pian dell'Orino has a long history of being particularly suited for growing grapes for high quality wines.

Pian dell'Orino Vineyard: Planted in 1970 and expanded in 1997, this vineyard lies 420 meters above see level and is surrounded by the rolling hills that extend from Montalcino to the volcanic mountains of Monte Amiata. The soil is light colored limestone. Fine grained clay deposits with fossilized mussels.

Pian Bossolino Vineyard: Planted in 1999, this vineyard lies several kilometers to the south, toward the ancient volcano Monte Amiata, and spans 3.5 ha. At this altitude where goats and sheep were once grazing there is poor soil with little humus but rich in limestone sediments, as well as Mediterranean red soil rich in iron deposits.

Cancello Rosso Vineyard: Planted in 1999, this vineyard lies near an abandoned travertine quarry, an obvious indication of the high limestone content, but also of sulfur springs found in several places around the Monte Amiata region. The naked eye easily discerns several soil types of different color: there is yellowish clay along with brownish clay and gray limestone. Additionally, weathering ferrous silicates form a reddish soil called "terra rossa" which extends over nearly half of this vineyard. The very deep soil forces the vines to grow especially deep roots. In doing so, they absorb certain minerals in the clay which lend the grapes, and ultimately the wine, a very characteristic flavor.

Scopeta Vineyard: Planted in 2005, this vineyard lies between Castelnuovo dell'Abate and Sant'Angelo in Colle and extends over 0.8 ha. Due to its south-southeast orientation it catches the first sun rays of the day. Furthermore, a slope of 35% ensures maximum absorption of the sun's energy. Thus, in April the vines of this vineyard are the very first to grow leaves, and the harvest normally begins with this vineyard as well. The soil is homogeneous, with very high limestone and clay content, and has good water retention capability.

Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate 6/2013
"It is amazing how far Pian dell’Orino has come in just a few years. Proprietors Jan Erbach and Caroline Pobitzer own what is now one of the very top estates in Montalcino, hands down. Tasting the wines from barrel is an amazing experience equaled by visits in only a handful of top domaines in the world. In this cellar, Sangiovese boasts striking finesse and crystalline purity. Jan Erbach describes 2008 as a difficult year, with rain during the flowering and significant disease pressure. Conditions improved during September and into early October, when the last of the fruit came in. Yields are down 40% across the board. I still think the straight Brunello is the best wine at Pian dell’Orino. Going forward, Pian dell’Orino will no longer issue a Riserva, but when conditions allow will release single-vineyard designates. The fruit is so pure here, I am not sure that extended aging in oak is really necessary. Readers who haven’t discovered Pian dell’Orino are in for a treat."

Beyond Barolo and Brunello by Tom Hyland (2012)
"They tend to their vineyards in a true organic fashion, shying away from using chemical pesticides, herbicides or mineral fertilizers. They also plant clover and legumes in between the rows, as these plants produce nitrogen which are in turn absorbed by the vines. It is this attention to detail and careful planning of the best ways in which to treat the soils that make the Pian dell'Orino wines so remarkable. The varietal purity is just that mush more focused in all of their wines..."
Items
Pian dell'Orino 2008 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Pian dell'Orino 2008 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Rating: 94 (+?)

(14.5% alcohol): Bright red-ruby. Knockout nose combines red berries, vanilla, red licorice and sandalwood. Bright and fresh in the mouth, with penetrating flavors of sweet red cherry, strawberry, marzipan and candied violet. A laser beam of acidity keeps the extremely pure floral red berry flavors light and lively. This really resonates on the perfumed, sweet aftertaste. To take a page out of the French wine playbook, this marvelous Brunello magically combines Burgundian perfume with Bordeaux tannins and structure.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

Pian dell'Orino 2008 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Rating: 94

One of the very best wines of the year, Pian dell’Orino’s 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweet dark cherries, cloves, menthol, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that are woven into fabric of superb elegance and finesse. All the elements are in perfect balance in this utterly harmonious Brunello. Deeply layered and spiced throughout, the 2008 is simply stunning. The 2008 isn’t as explosive as the very best vintages, but it is still a remarkable achievement for the year. Hints of orange peel and cloves add an exotic flair on the finish. This is a dazzling effort. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.

- The Wine Advocate (6/1/2013)