J. G. Benda
Magic In Montalcino
by Joanie Bonfiglio
Since the first wine J. G. Benda released, the dazzling 2021 Rosso di Montalcino, we have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of this young estate’s Brunello and single-vineyard Pietrafocaia bottlings. In a prestigious region like Montalcino, where any change is immediately scrutinized, the whirlwind arrival on the scene of John Benda and his partner, Zoë, has commanded everyone’s attention. These people are a force of nature, whose energy is impossible to ignore!
The first time we visited, the couple met us at the bottom of their steep old vineyard with broad smiles and an enthusiastic—even chaotic—welcome. To be fair, some of the bedlam was thanks to their rescue dog, Diana, who was frantically running about, disappearing into the neighboring woods, and splashing gleefully through the mud. In fact, I have yet to visit the Benda vineyards without hearing the long, loud call of “DIANAAAA” being unleashed at one point or another. It all makes for a dynamic and unforgettable experience.
John is one of those rare humans whose vision is so clear and so concrete you can almost see the universe bending to his will. It is as if he found these two small vineyards for sale, looked around, and declared, You will produce great wines here. It is unclear whether he would aim that command at the vines, or at himself, but in either case there is no doubt he has done it.
Two people, two hectares: John and Zoë pass through these vineyards every day, obsessing over each vine and every leaf. The wines that have begun to emerge from their little cellar are eagerly sought after for a reason—they are brimming with the life force of these people and their lofty vision.
2023 Rosso di Montalcino
Italy | Tuscany
John and Zoë have crafted a Rosso that is fresh, juicy, and immediately delightful, just the way we like them. The serious caliber of the terroir shines through in this structured, yet friendly bottle of Sangiovese. Given the tiny production of this vintage, Benda bottled only a single wine, blending their precious Brunello fruit into this spectacular Rosso.
**Extremely limited quantities, limit six bottles per customer**
2021 Brunello di Montalcino
Italy | Tuscany
A narrow path through dense forest is the only access to the stunning mountain vineyard that gave birth to this stylish, layered, and polished Brunello. Benda’s first-ever Brunello release, from the classic 2021 vintage no less, has no stage fright and a real sense of flair! After aging patiently for years in large cask and in bottle, it is ready for showtime. This is a bottle to please everyone, from the most avid Tuscan enthusiast to anyone passionate about great wine. Tasting is immediately believing.
**Extremely limited quantities, limit three bottles per customer**
2021 Toscana Rosso “Pietrafocaia di Sopra”
Italy | Tuscany
Pietrafocaia di Sopra is a high-elevation parcel in the woods named for the abundant flintstone littering the vineyard surface. A streak of pure limestone in the subsoil imparts a chiseled energy to this wine, a single-vineyard Brunello in reality that Benda has chosen to label as a (far from simple!) Tuscan red wine. This exceptional site truly imparts its unique soil signature to the wine, and the 2021 is a masterpiece: high-intensity, salivating, with impressive concentration and length. There’s a new guy in town!
**Extremely limited quantities, limit three bottles per customer**