The story
The 2005 Soldera Brunello di Montalcino Riserva belongs to the history of Case Basse and its founder’s vision: to create a great wine through Sangiovese, respect for the land and time. Style and identity A still red wine made entirely from estate-grown Sangiovese. The bottle tasted bears the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2005 designation, recorded in the winery’s official vintage archive. Later releases include Toscana IGT/IGP Soldera Case Basse 100% Sangiovese. The region Case Basse lies in south-western Montalcino at approximately 320 metres above sea level. Its estate covers over 23 hectares, with vineyards, vegetation, gardens and a diverse ecosystem. Graziella Soldera’s botanical garden, covering more than two hectares, reflects the relationship between care for the landscape and the wine-growing project. Winemaking and maturation The estate’s approach combines hand harvesting and selection, spontaneous fermentation in large Slavonian oak vats, and prolonged maturation in large casks of the same wood. Tasting experience is supported by scientific monitoring, analysis and research. Sources: the official Soldera website, its production page and vintage archive.
The producer
The story began in 1972, when Gianfranco and Graziella Soldera discovered Case Basse and chose to establish their wine-growing project in Montalcino. The first vineyards were planted in 1972 and 1973; the first harvest followed in 1975. In 1982 the first Soldera Brunello, from the 1977 vintage, was released. It marked the beginning of a journey built on grape selection, respect for the wine’s own timescale and a precise vision of quality. Master taster Giulio Gambelli played an important role. His collaboration and friendship with Soldera began in January 1976 and centred on a continuous exchange of tasting impressions. Tasting from cask became an essential tool for understanding and guiding the wine. After Gianfranco’s death in February 2019, the family continued the estate’s work, preserving its founding principles: care for nature, biodiversity and support for research.
The moment
Some bottles make an encounter special, and sharing them with certain people becomes a memory to treasure. I had the pleasure and honour of tasting this Soldera Riserva 2005 in the dining room at Osteria de l’Umbreleèr with Gilles Davasse, a dear French friend based in Bordeaux, a wine professional and importer working between France and Italy. Meeting him was a pleasure. Sharing this bottle gave the encounter an even deeper meaning: our common passion, the exchange of experiences and the pleasure of drinking together. The wine was still in magnificent form and moved us both. What remains is the glass, the conversation and the knowledge that we shared something precious. For me, being a Professional Sommelier also means serving wine with care and recognising the human value of the moments that form around a bottle. Our friendship with Gilles continues in Bordeaux, where we will visit him on our trip departing on Monday, 19 October 2026. A memorable bottle. A friendship that continues.