
Year of the Dog
96 Points – JAMES SUCKLING
Zodiac Dog Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2011 is one of the finest expressions of the Montalcino Terroir, integrated by an elegant yet complex texture and firmness.
Appelation: Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG
Grape: Sangiovese 100%
Elevation: 450 metres a.s.l.
Exposure: South-west
Soil profile: Rich in clay shale and marl (Galestro)
Training system: Guyot
Vine density: 4.500 plants / ha
Vine yield: 40 q/ha
Harvest: Second half of October
Vinification: The fermentation was spontaneous with the use of indigenous yeasts. Alcohol fermentation lasted 18 days with a temperature of 28°C, followed by a long maceration on the skins.
Ageing: 36 months in French oak, the wood comes from selected forests that are more than 300 years old, followed by 6 months in concrete tanks.
Alcohol: 14,5%
Production: 488 numbered bottles, 1,5l format
Label: painted by the artist Li Fuyuan


Li Fuyuan
Born in Kunming, Yunnan, Li Fu Yuan entered the Beijing Art Academy in 1957 to study painting under Wu Guanzhong, widely recognized as a founder of modern Chinese painting. After graduating from the Academy in 1963, Li continued to teach in Beijing for several decades, exhibiting his works in the UK, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
Showing a special sensitivity for form and colour, he creates a whole animal kingdom including tigers, leopards, buffaloes, rams, fish and birds, which seems to express his joy in life and nature. His works act as a reminder of the intricacy and beauty of the natural world, encouraging people to protect all living things, especially wild animals threatened by extinction.
Sales have been very strong, and at the launch event we sold more than half of the available bottles. Ten percent of the sales have been donated to a few selected charity organizations located in each of the hosting Asian countries.
Zodiac Dog Brunello Riserva 2011
Cecilia Leoneschi, winemaker, and Simone Pallesi, CEO Castiglion del Bosco with two guests at Private Wine Dinner in Singapore
Massimo Ferragamo with two guest at the Private Wine Dinner in Singapore
Castiglion del Bosco Wines at Private Wine Dinner in Singapore
Autograph by Mr Massimo Ferragamo at Wine Dinner at Rosewood Beijing
Art Piece by Mr Li at Private Wine Dinner in Singapore
Cecilia Leoneschi, winemaker, presenting the wines during the Private Wine Dinner in Singapore
Castiglion del Bosco Private Wine Dinner in Singapore
Speech by Ms Christina Lin, Marketing Director of AMEX at Wine Dinner at Rosewood Beijing
Castiglion del Bosco Wine Dinner at Rosewood Beijing
Castiglion del Bosco Wine Dinner at Rosewood Beijing, detail
Zodiac Dog Brunello 2011 Riserva