Benvenuto Brunello 2023

Tastings in Montalcino and Toronto, the 2019 vintage, extreme climate events, preventative agricultural measures and 285 wines tasted

by Michael Godel

This lengthy report is Godello’s most comprehensive coverage of Montalcino to date. On November 28th, 2023 Benvenuto Brunello events took place worldwide, including in the two Canadian cities of Vancouver and Toronto. It was Godello’s honour and indeed his privilege to present the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG to more than 150 sommeliers, trade, media and staff at Aria Ristorante in Toronto. The tasting was a big deal. There were many attendees in the room room who had heard Godello say this before. “No one of sound mind passes up the opportunity to taste Brunello from Montalcino.” The Toronto event received more than 350 requests for seats and those who secured a spot were afforded the opportunity to taste more than 70 Brunello di Montalcino in a very civilized way. A dozen sommeliers were on hand to pour and allow every taster to get through all the wines in the most efficient manner, to discover two vintages of these profound wines. The sangiovese available were an impressive collection from 34 archetypal producers.

Benvenuto Brunello 2023, Montalcino

Jump straight to the reviews:
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 Vigna + Etichetta + Altra Tipologia
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018
Older Vintages
Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Godello’s presentation happened less than a week after returning from eight days spent at Benvenuto Brunello in Montalcino where he tasted more than 280 sangiovese. Of that number 60 percent were from the 2019 vintage, including the Annata split between the Classica, Vigna, Etichetta and Altra Tipologia. He also tasted two dozen 2018 Riserva along with some older vintages at estate visits to Biondi-Santi, Canalicchio di Sopra, Cortonesi, Gaja – Pieve Santa Restituta, Giodo, Il Marroneto, La Magia, Le Chiuse, Le Potazzine, Podere Le Ripi, Poggio Anitico, Salicutti, Talenti and Valdicava. At the anteprima in Montalcino 118 producers were represented with multiple wines available from each, including for the DOCs of Rosso di Montalcino and Sant’Antimo. Less than half that could have been there but there are several reasons for the absences. For some producers the quality of the wines do not arrive at peak form when the November anteprima comes around. Many bottle their Brunello in May because “that’s when the Annata are ready” but it also allows a rest period for six months in bottle ahead of Benvenuto Brunello and eight before a January release. Then there is the control factor – not being able to test each bottle yourself and to trust other professionals to make sure your wines are showing at their best. It’s tricky and is not a system or timing that works for everyone.

Godello, Benvenuto Brunello in Toronto - November, 2023

Michael Godel presenting at Benvenuto Brunello at Aria Ristorante in Toronto – November, 2023
Image (c) Draga – Front Row Images Inc.

Extreme climate events and preventative agricultural measures

Montalcino is just 73 kms to the seaside village of Marina di Grosseto and so while it may be an inland growing area it’s proximity to the sea and its protection to the immediate south from Monte Amiata do create a recognizably prominent Mediterranean climate. It will snow in the winter and it will get oppressively hot in summer. Rainfall numbers have lessened but they have not reduced to a trickle. What has changed are the extremes of climate. Consider a few recent vintages, 2017, 2021 and 2023. In 2017 there was no precipitation between January 1st and August 31st. That is full on drought. In 2021 there were April 6th and 7th frosts that wiped out vast tracts of just budded vines. The current vintage is an unmitigated disaster. Some frosts early, again in August which also experienced a heatwave that caused a significant rise in PH. From May 15th to June 15th rainfall every afternoon made the control of the Peronospera fungus almost impossible. We call this Downy Mildew, oomycete microbes that are obligate parasites of plants induced by an unrelated fungus called Plasmopara Viticola causing the powdery mildew.

The problem in ’23 was that the mildew by-passed the leaves and went straight to the flowers on the bunches, but the fungus also chooses to not discriminate between the organic and conventional producer. Some areas escaped, especially that of the Sesta Valley between Castelnuovo and Sant’Angelo. The estates in this area (Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, Collosorbo, Agostina Peri and Piancornello) were very fortunate to enjoy a good quantity of healthy grapes. Nothing to do with organics mind you, perhaps specific airflow coming from the Orcia Valley, or just dumb luck. Other estates were not so lucky. Fabian Schwarz of La Magia siad he would normally spray copper and sulphur eight to 10 times per season – in that 30 day stretch alone he had to spray 20 times. Maximilian Hildebrandt of Salicutti noted that production was down 35 percent because of the Peronospera and two hailstorms in August and so no Sorgente Vineyard Brunello was made. The challenges faced made it hard to reach their aim “to create the wine on the plants” from a vintage when the usual four sulphur and copper treatments per year were increased to a staggering 22. That’s more heavy metal on the ground than Wacked Open Air. If you missed that reference it’s the most famous Heavy Metal festival held in Germany.

Montalcino’s Upper Orcia Valley

The combined losses of these extreme climate events has been heavy. Up to 90 percent in northeastern Montalcino and anywhere from 10-50 in most other parts. At La Magia the number was 40 percent due to the Peronospera, but also hail. The 2023 vintage was also higher in pH at 3.7, mainly due to a very hot August and the number is normally down at around 3.3. “Maybe winter will see it drop,” said a wishful Schwarz. Vincenzo Abruzzese of Valdicava shrugged off the disaster. “I’m sad of the situation, but I’m not cutting off my arms.” Resiliency is strong, the people and plants will rebound and so much has been learned. Alberello planting is on the comeback “because you are working with three dimensions and every plant is by itself,” explained Fabian Schwarz, “including how it reacts to wind and rain.” But unfortunately that does not include dealing with animals like wild boar and deer. For Abruzzese Alberello vines require less water and can improve sangiovese’s ability to combat climate change, especially at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare. Guyot is replacing Cordone Speronato in many vineyards and almost no one is shoot topping anymore. Giampiero Bertolini of Biondi-Santi elucidated the concept of how plant structure and canopies are managed in a new way, with two parts coming up and together, to have the ability to change trajectory, to open and or close depending on the needs in relation to the weather. At Salicutti they are no longer cutting off the tops of the plants. This to protect them and keep the arches down, “like having a picnic under a big tree,” explained Hildebrandt, “so your butter is not melting.”

Lorenzo Magnelli at Le Chiuse is looking at creating micro-oxygenation in the soils to promote vine root growth. Cover crops help with this. Also less passages with the tractor to avoid compaction. Fabian and others have begun a two-step pruning process, the first in winter and the second after Easter, well past the time when the first buds had already emerged. This helps to delay the total number of buds before the typically potential Easter frosts though it will not help if a freak occurrence comes in May. And the way climate is trending that will surely happen. However “when you speak about quality,” reminds Schwarz, “it is not because of training systems, it’s from soil and micro-climate.” At La Magia he is also experimenting with anti-fungal activity using Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens, a root-colonizing biocontrol bacterium. “You buy one package and replicate it with a bioreactor,” explains Fabian. He makes a solution to spray in the vineyards as an organic way to ward of odium. The machine was originally purchased to replicate indigenous yeasts for fermentations but now serves a dual purpose.

Poggiarelli Vineyard

A territory of four slopes

The northwest slope of the Montalcino hill is where poderi like Cortonesi’s La Mannella, Capanna, Pertimali from Sassetti Livio and the lower side of the Montosoli hill are located. There is great interest in this quadrant because the soils are some of the most variegate from farm to farm and places where really fresh wines are made. The southwestern slope is where you will find producers like Pietroso, Il Palazzone and Le Ragnaie but also the gateway further west to Castiglion del Bosco, Le Potazzine, Corte Pavone and Romitorio. And further southwest you reach Pian delle Vigne and Pieve Santa Restituta. The northeastern slope is a unique location with the Orcia Valley spread out to the east and the south. These are the wide-open spaces and rolling hills of Montalcino where the clays are less compact, the calcaire can be quite prevalent and the elevations relatively lower. Here you will find producers like Il Marroneto, Casanova di Neri, Le Chiuse, Ridolfi, Canalicchio di Sopra and Franco Pacenti. The southeastern slope covers everything south and southeast of Montalcino, characterized by steeper slopes, profound changes in elevation, thick forest and windswept plateaus. These are where estates leading down to the villages of Castelnuovo dell’Abate and Sant’Angelo in Colle are located. The highest concentration of farms are here, beginning with Constanti and Biondi-Santi. Then there are Talenti, Salicutti, La Magia, Poggiarelli Vineyard, Fanti and Poggio di Sotto, among many others.

Andrea Lonardi is Italy’s most recent MW and joins Montalcino’s Gabriele Gorelli with that unique distinction. Andrea is the COO of Angelini Wines and Estates and during Benvenuto Brunello week in Montalcino he led a vertical tasting of four vintages from three crus for Val di Suga Brunello. Three different locations, three micro-climates and soils. Lonardi asked “how many places in the world have such a change in landscapes around such a small area?” It tells us that Montalcino producers are focused on Cru, on Vigna and this pinpointing of how and why sangiovese comes away distinct from which place.

New Alberello plantings at Valdicava

During the final November weekend Godello made a tour of the combined five vineyards worked by the Brunello boys: Lorenzo Magnelli of Le Chuise, Tomasso Cortonesi of La Mannella and Francesco Ripaccioli of Canalicchio di Sopra. The purpose was to join them for a look at soils and taste the wines of each place. Francesco talked about La Casaccia as a place of high (8.2-8.3) pH characterized by the clay. “For me it’s sleekness in the wines,” he says “not opulence and less heaviness than from (a vineyard) of dense clay.” Walking the vineyard of Poggiarelli and the windy landscape overlooking the Orcia Valley within the forests will tell you so much about the freshness and also power of those Brunello. Tomasso Cortonesi says “it’s very important for me that a producer has to exult the identity of each single vineyard, including the Rosso.” Montalcino does not like to talk in terns of frazione, Villages, MGA or UGA, but they do like their cru. There motto is that great wine has a secret: “Vineyard, vineyard, vineyard.”

La Casaccia Vineyard, Canalicchio di Sopra

Soils and Sangiovese

All of Montalcino is predicated on sand, clay and stone, like all of Tuscany but the sandstones are its predominant feature. These are mainly Arenaria, which is about as pure as sandstone gets and also Pietraforte, a much harder conglomerate rock that will contain other elements like schist, clay and calcium carbonate. But Montalcino has much less limestone than a region like Chianti Classico. There is some Alberese (and Palombino) stone but the sands are key. Everyone uses the term Galestro but it is not a type or epoch of soil – it’s a type of structure. The term Galestro refers to a manifestation of sedimentary soils at the surface as flakey outcroppings. Galesto mainly comes from schists but also sandstones and appears as flakes of those rocks in layers that fall to pieces, like bits of stony sand. We can say that Galestro soils have a great effect on these sangiovese – but true geological origins matter most.

The thing about sangiovese is that it loves rainfall but does not love really hot seasons. That messes with its natural acidity but Montalcino lives and dies by the variety as the only denomination where every wine is 100 percent sangiovese. There are other grapes grown around Montalcino but only sangiovese makes Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino. In Montalcino sangiovese vines don’t really produce as they once did after reaching 50-plus years of age. But there are many who care to preserve the memoria storica, that is the historical DNA and character of the vines. So they do so with massal selection. Keep in mind that Montalcino was a place where today’s producer is the grandchild of wine producers who woke up the morning, walked to the market to sell some form of goods, walked back down the hill to attend school and then worked the vineyard and the cellar for the rest of the day. Two dozen of them formed the Consorzio – both their descendants and their vines’ descendants are what make Brunello today. The village was along a Roman trading route and everyone knew Montalcino as the place where great wine was worth stopping for. Clemente Santi produced the first true commercial bottling in the 1880s, the Consorzio was formed in 1967, DOCG status awarded Brunello in 1980 and DOC to Rosso in 1984.

Presenting at Benvenuto Brunello in Toronto - November, 2023

Godello, Benvenuto Brunello in Toronto – November, 2023
Image (c) Draga – Front Row Images Inc.

Rosso di Montalcino

Culturally speaking Rosso di Montalcino is the most important wine. It’s what the Montalcinese drink daily. Many winemakers will tell you that Rosso must reflect sangiovese’s character more than any other wine. In today’s Montalcino one’s Rosso is another’s Brunello. It’s now more than ever a matter of location, soil and altitude. There are many ways to skin a Rosso but these days it is always a wine treated with respect. There is enough Brunello to go around and the world needs a lot more Rosso di Montalcino. Godello was able to taste three dozen Rosso that week, covering vintages 2022 going back to 2016.

The “top” 2019 vintage

Which brings us to 2019. Ah yes, the already famous vintage and for many reasons, 99 percent of them good. Comparable to 2016 in the sense in that quality and quantity were both running high. The very famous oenologist Carlo Ferrini of Giodo described the weather as calda but not caldissima. A statement of the obvious says that the key to a great wine in Montalcino is the relationship and balance between phenolic maturity and acidity. Achieving this kind of success was challenging in the two previous vintages. The problem with climate extremes is rising pH numbers, loss of acidity and when this happens you can’t make adjustments after harvest to correct deficiencies. This vintage was a literally a breeze. All the correct winds blew through and yes it was a warm vintage, but with no heat spikes upwards of 40 degrees as there had been in 2015 and also 2016. That is why producers are very happy with and also relieved by 2019. Terms like quality and quantity, easy, uncomplicated, fresh and substantial were tossed about. Even the usage of “The Goldilocks vintage,” not too hard or too soft. Not to dry and not too wet. It was just right. Francesco Ripaccioli noted that on September 15th there was 45-50 mm of rain. “It didn’t affect the vintage,” he insisted, “but the rain cleaned the grapes before they came into the cellar. Tomasso spent three weeks at the beach.” He was joking. Mostly.

If 2018 was the vertical vintage then 2019 was one of breadth and depth, this as far as Riccardo Talenti is concerned. What a vintage like 2019 allowed a Montalcino winemaker was the choice and the chance to make individual wines, not just good wines. To celebrate the spirit living within each vineyard and farm. To find richness from an uncontaminated place, because climate did not get in the way. To make a style of sangiovese leaning towards the oxidative and not the reductive because the fruit was so untainted. Brunello that carries the DNA of each farm and levels of acidity to see the prospect of the best examples aging for 30 years or more. Alessio Sostegni of Poggio Antico said “you should taste the freshness and concentration, especially because of the winds. The days may be have been hot, but the sea winds blew in each afternoon.” He added that “after a late August rain what followed were high daytime temperatures and nighttime lows. In fact the optical sorter at harvest eliminated almost no berries.” Higher temperatures but no major spikes and rainfall came at all the right times, first in the winter and then with that spike in mid-summer that cooled the vines but happened after the potential danger of funguses like Peronospera. A vintage that Gigliola Giannetti of Le Potazzine said was simply regolare and thank goodness because these days that is increasingly rarer and rarer. Sebastian Nasello of Podere Le Ripi said “it is also rare to find a vintage where both the western and eastern sectors performed in a positive way.” Vegetative growth was slow and steady and harvest stretched over a few weeks of time. The end result was slow and even ripening which could not be said for either 2017 or 2018.

What about Riserva 2018?

The wines are not the most concentrated, at times edgy and volatile, but their transparency makes them some of the most terroir-connected of the last 15 vintages. Twenty eighteen is a pure sangiovese vintage and there is nowhere for the wines to hide. There are many that could be referred to as sneaky structured. Many writers were and remain skeptical. Godello holds much respect for the hard work put in, the selective processes and the potential of these wines. Less Mediterranean as a vintage, lit from behind. Of course there are more impressive and also structured vintages but the guarantee here is in the consistency of farming and winemaking teams with a dedicated set of values. Today we are dealing with Riserva as a wine that only nature can decide whether or not it will become one. Alessandro Mori of Il Marroneto said that “it has a to be a monster to become a Riserva.” His might have been the outlier and not the norm for 2018. Giacomo Bartolommei of Caprili noted that the weather was the complete opposite of 2017. Winter snow, even in the southern part of Montalcino, cooler temperatures and consistent rainfall. “Lighter wines with potential for aging, not unlike 2013. They are showing well right now. We think 2018 will be the same. Even expecting greatness.”

Tommaso Cortonesi: “A vintage where you can recognize the link between the producer and the terroir. The vintage does not show potential during he first two years in bottle. The wines of 2007 were like this. I taste the real Galestro of southeast Montalcino in Poggiarelli. Usually the northern areas do this but in 2018 the southern sectors do this and in balance.” Francesco Ripaccioli of Canalicchio di Sopra: “The first harvest was September 10th – a green one, to concentrate the best bunches. Then heavy rains on September 16th, followed by strong tramontana winds to dry out the vines and keep mildew away.” Producers needed to wait a few days and so harvest began on the 20th, at first looking for what Francesco calls “dimension in the bunches.” Phenolic ripeness and acidity were not developed chronologically but in a more chaotic way. Francesco puts the average ripeness number at 7.5 or 8 out of ten. “Ten doesn’t exist and if it did I would not want it because pH levels would be way too high. Maybe 8.5 is perfect.” This is really important information. Just as picking too early in a hot year is problematic, the chase to optimum phenolic ripeness is also wrought with dangers. High pH, low acidity, over-extraction, which depending on the season can bring exaggerations, mainly astringencies. Balance, that’s the key, regardless of what that equates to in any given year. And place.

Benvenuto Brunello in Toronto presentation – November, 2023
Image (c) Draga | Front Row Images Inc.

The sommeliers, consorzio and tasting notes

The success of the Benvenuto tastings would be impossible without the Italian AIS Sommeliers and in Montalcino that means the women and men of the AIS Siena division. These are the professionals who serve the wines in Montalcino. They are a tasters’ best friend because they quickly become aware of a taster’s needs even before the taster knows that their needs are needed. Being nice, patient, courteous, friendly and respectful of them is everything. They are there to help in the the best way they can.

The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino President is Fabrizio Bindocci and the Director is Andrea Machetti. Giacomo Bartolommei, Riccardo Talenti and Enrico Viglierchio are the three Vice-Presidents. At the top of the list of those who put in the greatest amount of dedication is Carlotta Salvini who just might be the hardest working person in Montalcino today. Collectively they and their staff make Benvenuto Brunello one of the most important and best organized events on the anteprime schedule. If you would like to jump past this 40,000 word report and straight to the highest rated wines in order, please click here. The 285 wines reviewed are broken down as follows: Brunello di Montalcino 2019 (96), Brunello di Montalcino Vigna + Etichetta + Altra Tipologia 2019 (73), Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 (22), Other Vintages and Campione di Botti (4), Older Vintages (45), Rosso di Montalcino (36) and Toscana IGT (9).

The Italian Sommeliers of AIS Siena at Benvenuto Brunello in Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Agostina Pieri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Armilla Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Argiano Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Belpoggio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Canneta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Carpineto Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Capanna Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Capanne Ricci – Tenimenti Ricci Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Caprili Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Casanova Di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Casanuova Delle Cerbaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Casa Raia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Castello Di Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Castiglion Del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Celestino Pecci Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Cerbaia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Chiusa Grossa Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Col di Lamo di Giovanna Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Collemattoni Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Corte Dei Venti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Cupano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Elia Palazzesi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Fanti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Ferrero Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Franco Pacenti Brunello Di Montalcinio DOCG 2019

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Giodo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Il Poggione Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Casaccia Di Franceschi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Fiorita Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Fornace Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Magia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

La Serena Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Le Chiuse Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Le Gode Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Le Macioche Famiglia Cotarella Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Le Potazzine Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Máté Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Molino Della Suga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Padelletti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Patrizia Cencioni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Pian Delle Querci Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Pietra Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Pietroso Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Pinino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Poggio Alle Forche Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Poggio Di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Poggio Landi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Renieri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Ridolfi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Roberto Cipresso Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Salicutti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Salvioni – La Cerbaiola Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

San Guglielmo Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Sanlorenzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

San Polino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Sassetti Livio Peritamali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Scopone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Sesta Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Siro Parenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Talenti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Tenuta Buon Tempo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Tommasi Casisano Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Uccelliera Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Val Di Suga Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Ventolaio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Voliero Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2019

The Brunello Boys: Lorenzo Magnelli, Tomasso Cortonesi and Francesco Ripaccioli

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 Vigna + Etichetta + Altra Tipologia

Alessandro Rossi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Aisna 2019

Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Montosoli 2019

Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vignaferrovia 2019

Baricci Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Montosoli 2019

Castello Di Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Poggio Alle Mura 2019

Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Poggio Alle Mura Vigna Marrucheto 2019

Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Vigna La Casaccia 2019

Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Montosoli 2019

Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG La Casa 2019

Casanova Di Neri Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Tenuta Nuova 2019

Casanuova Delle Cerbaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Montosoli CdC 2019

Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Filo di Seta 2019

Celestino Pecci Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Poggio Al Carro 2019

Castiglion Del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Campo del Drago 2019

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Pianrosso 2019

Coesioni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018

Col di Lamo di Giovanna Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG A Diletta 2019

Collemattoni Brunello Di Montalcino Fontelontano DOCG 2019

Conti Costanti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Colle Al Matrichese 2019

Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Campo Di Marzo 2019

Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Fiore del Vento 2019

Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Fior di Meliloto 2019

Cortonesi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG La Mannella 2019

Cortonesi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Poggiarelli 2019

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Progetto Prime Donne 2019

Fanti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Vallocchio 2019

Fattoria Dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna del Fiore 2019

Fattoria La Magia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Ciliegio 2019

Franco Pacenti Brunello Di Montalcinio DOCG Rosildo 2019

Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Castelgiocondo 2019

Pieve Santa Restituta – Gaja Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Rennina 2019

Pieve Santa Restituta – Gaja Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Sugarille 2019

Gianni Brunellii Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Le Chiuse di Sotto 2019

Gorelli Giuseppe Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Il Marroneto Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Madonna Delle Grazie 2019

Il Palzzone Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Le Due Porte 2019

La Fiorita Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Fiore Di NO 2019

La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Giobi 2019

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG La Pieve 2019

Le Gode Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Montosoli 2019

La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Manapetra 2019

La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Persante 2019

Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Casanovina Montosoli 2019

Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Passo del Lume Spento 2019

Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Petroso 2019

Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino V.V. DOCG 2019

Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Loreto 2019

Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Schiena d’Asino 2019

Máté Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Veltha 2019

Patrizia Cencioni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Ofelio 2019

Pinino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Pinino 2019

Podere Giardino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Le Tracce 2019

Podere Le Ripi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Cielo di Ulisse 2019

Podere Le Ripi Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia DOCG 2019

Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Vigna I Poggi 2019

Ridolfi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Donna Rebecca 2019

Ruffino Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Greppone Mazzi 2019

Salicutti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Piaggione 2019

Salicutti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Sorgente 2019

San Polino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Helichrysum 2019

San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino Podernovi DOCG 2019

San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Vignvecchia 2019

Sesti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019

Siro Parenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Pelagrilli 2019

Talenti Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Piero 2019

Tassi Di Franci Franca Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Tassi Franci 2019

Tassi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Colombaiolo 2019

Tenuta San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Ugolforte 2019

Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Poggio Doria 2019

Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Montosoli 2019

Val Di Suga Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Poggio Al Granchio 2019

Val Di Suga Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Spuntali 2019

Val Di Suga Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG Vigna Del Lago 2019

Tasting in Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Capanna Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Caprili Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Carpineto Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Col d’Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Poggio Al Vento 2018

Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Corte Pavone Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Poggio Molino Al Vento 2018

Elia Palazzesi Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Collelceto 2018

Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Ripa al Convento di Castelgiocondo 2018

Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

La Fiorita Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

La Serena Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Gemini 2018

Patrizia Cencioni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 1-2-3 2018

Podere Le Ripi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Lupi e Sirene DOCG 2018

Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2018

Poggio Di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Poggio Landi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Poggio San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Sesti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Phenomena 2018

Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG Le Due Sorelle 2018

Tenuta San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2018

Other Vintages and Campione di Botti

Salicutti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Piaggione 2021 (Campione)

Beautioful perfume that speaks to ’21’s gentle swarthiness. Hard to believe what a settled place in which this has already come to pass. Tells Maximilian Hildebrandt, “if it wasn’t for the frost this would have been a very balanced vintage.”

Salicutti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Teatro 2021 (Campione)

Just so much more serious, structured and poised, not to say anything negative about Piaggione but it does not hold a vertical candle to Teatro. This is the epitome of finding succulenza reduced in a botte sample, Precision is drawn with an architectural line and if this is in fact muscular you would only know by the verticality of its tannins. A special vineyard but many people think the opposite. The question begs, is Teatro akin to Bourgogne? Perhaps – it’s depth and length are finest.

Salicutti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Teatro Finari Alti 2021 (Campione)

From the highest (alto) reach of the vineyard, now separated unto itself, smaller berries and like the approach of Lorenzo Magnelli at Le Chiuse who directs this special fruit into Brunello and when the season is right, also Riserva. These small bits of sangiovese fruit of low juice to skin ratio will make an entirely different wine. Crunchy mineral salts and soil elements that induce a particular aftertaste but only after the palate has been fully engaged. Flavours awaken the senses and distract from the tannins, for a spell, but their attack is both delayed and less sever. The fineness here presents the string possibility for epiphanies to come later.

Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2019