Pertimali (Livio Sassetti)
Summary
Pertimali is a century-old family estate in northern Montalcino where Lorenzo Sassetti oversees 16 hectares of high-elevation vineyards (350-400m) on galestro and clay soils, producing a focused portfolio of traditional Sangiovese wines. Their winemaking balances modern fermentation techniques with strictly traditional aging in large Slavonian oak casks, preserving Sangiovese's distinctive character while allowing for the slow, graceful development that defines classic Brunello.
Heritage & Leadership
Pertimali was established in 1915 when Livio Sassetti acquired land on the northern slope of Montalcino. The estate represents one of the historical producers in the Brunello di Montalcino region, with the Sassetti family maintaining continuous ownership for over a century. Today, the estate is directed by Lorenzo Sassetti, grandson of founder Livio, who took over operations in the late 1990s after working alongside his father. The transition maintained the family's traditional approach while gradually implementing technical improvements to enhance quality.
The estate's name derives from its location in the Pertimali district of Montalcino, an area that has proven particularly suitable for Sangiovese cultivation. Under Lorenzo's leadership, the winery has maintained its focus on traditional Montalcino winemaking while adapting to modern standards of quality. The family's multi-generational commitment to this specific terroir has contributed to their understanding of the land's potential and limitations.
Vineyards & Wines
Pertimali encompasses approximately 16 hectares of vineyards situated on the northern slope of Montalcino at elevations between 350 and 400 meters above sea level. This northern exposure provides a cooler microclimate compared to southern-facing Montalcino estates, resulting in a longer growing season that contributes to the distinctive character of their wines. The vineyard soils consist primarily of galestro (a friable schist) and clay, offering good drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during dry periods.
The estate focuses almost exclusively on Sangiovese, locally known as Brunello, with plantings dating back several decades. Their portfolio includes Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, all produced from 100% Sangiovese. The Brunello vineyards are situated at the highest elevations of the property, where exposure and soil conditions are optimal for developing the structure and complexity required for long-aging wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Pertimali adheres to traditional winemaking methods while incorporating necessary modern techniques to ensure quality and consistency. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise management of the process while preserving fruit characteristics. Following fermentation, the wines undergo extended maceration to extract appropriate tannin and color components.
The aging protocol follows the strict regulations of the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, with their standard Brunello aging for a minimum of two years in large Slavonian oak casks (botti) followed by additional bottle aging before release. The Riserva receives extended aging, typically three years in oak and additional time in bottle. This adherence to traditional large-format oak aging rather than small barriques helps preserve the distinctive character of Sangiovese while allowing for the slow development of complexity.
Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with careful selection of grapes both in the vineyard and at the sorting table. This attention to detail extends throughout the production process, reflecting the family's commitment to expressing the specific characteristics of their northern Montalcino terroir through minimal intervention winemaking.