Results for: "Brunello"

Perfumed with sweet berry, fresh flower and cedar aromas that follow through to a medium-bodied palate with firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very classy and structured. Extremely long. Give it time to open.

Delightful and juicy red fruit with lots of floral notes of rose petals, citrus blossoms and a touch of crunchy white peach. Medium-bodied with succulent, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Finishes with an appetizing, zesty aftertaste. Beautifully harmonious. Drinkable now, but give it another three to five years to show its best.

This is a wine for the purists. The 2016 Poggiarellino Riserva is a throwback to a style of Brunello that is becoming harder and harder to find, and it comes from one of the greatest vintages of our lifetime. This is not a flashy, modern wine; it's a profound, soulful, and uncompromisingly traditional expression of Sangiovese from a tiny, family-run estate. Poggiarellino is a small, 3-hectare farm in the northern part of Montalcino, and they do things the old-school way: sustainable farming, native yeast fermentation in cement tanks, and incredibly long, slow aging in large Slavonian oak casks. For this Riserva, the wine rested for a full 4.5 years in barrel, allowing it to develop incredible complexity and a noble, tertiary character. The 2016 vintage was a dream for producers like this, blessing the wines with perfect balance, electric acidity, and a firm, tannic structure built for the ages. The result is a wine of immense depth and character. The nose is a captivating display of dried cherry, forest floor, walnut skin, and leather, with underlying notes of truffle and dried herbs. On the palate, it is firm and savory, with a core of pure, rustic fruit framed by powerful, dusty tannins and that signature 2016 freshness. A true, authentic Brunello for those who love the classic style.

The drop-dead gorgeous Gianni Brunelli stopped me in my tracks with its stunning fragrance of freshly picked violet, iris, forest berry, leather and eucalyptus. All about extreme elegance, the palate is equally captivating, delivering layers of succulent Morello cherry, wild raspberry, blood orange, dark spice and crushed mint. Taut, ultra-refined tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity keeps it vibrant and impeccably balanced. While it’s already incredibly tempting, it also promises years of graceful aging. Hats off to Laura Brunelli and her team. (KO)

A firm, chewy Brunello with cherry, walnut and black-truffle character, as well as tile undertones. It’s full-bodied with dark fruit and mahogany and cedar undertones. Tight and wooded at the moment, but should come round with bottle age. Give it time. Try after 2023.

Aromas of black cherries, potpourri and bitter roots, as well as a hint of tree bark. Medium body with chewy tannins. Subtly toasty aftertaste. A little austere. Compact and tight. Better after 2024.

So perfumed and seductive on the nose, with black cherries, minerals and rose petals that follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine tannins. Its finesse and vision tell you why Brunello is great. Long, vivid and beautifully balanced. Already a joy to taste, but best after 2027.

Solid, showing dusty spices, dried citrus and an earthy, savory undertone. Traditional in style, with tight tannins and a nice grilled-orange character. Very well-balanced, supple and composed. (ZS)

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino bursts from the glass with aromas of mint-infused black cherries, sweet smoke and autumnal spices. It's silky-smooth yet lifted and spry with tart red and blue fruit notes swirling throughout. Fine-grained tannins flex upon the senses as the 2020 finishes with a crunchy minerality, admirable length and solid structure while leaving a staining of primary concentration that promises years of positive development. (EG)

The compelling Conti Costanti 2021 Brunello captivates with pronounced aromas of fragrant purple flower, eucalyptus, Mediterranean brush and perfumed berry. All about class and extreme finesse, the elegant palate delivers succulent wild raspberry, crushed Marasca cherry, spiced orange zest and star anise set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance and great intensity. Year after year Andrea Costanti turns out what are among the very best wines from Montalcino, and the 2021 is no exception, it’s an absolute stunner with great aging potential. (KO)

The legendary 2019 vintage demanded a truly special Brunello for our series. I found it on the warmer, southern slopes of Montalcino, from a family estate renowned for its powerful, savory, and terroir-driven wines. This is a classic expression of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone: deep aromas of black cherry, licorice, and balsamic herbs dominate the nose. The palate is structured and full-bodied, with firm, noble tannins and a long, savory finish that speaks to its warm terroir. This is a powerful, old-school Brunello built for the cellar, from a producer who truly captures the soul of southern Montalcino.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Montosoli pours a deeper ruby hue and opens with compact aromatics of black raspberries, tea leaf, cocoa, rosemary, and crushed stone. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm core of tannins and a refreshing spine of acidity that keeps everything lifted and precise. It’s still tightly wound and will benefit from another couple of years in bottle, then drink beautifully for 15 years or more. Drink 2028-2045. (AF)

The nose offers earthy, umami aromas of damp soil, underbrush, balsamic, coffee grinds and mixed herbs, plus a pop of tart blackberries. On the palate, the blackberries are sweet and ripe, even as crushed rocks, herbs and more soil preserve the earthy feel. Warm and lively on the finish. (DC)

Aromas of violets, lavender, licorice, nutmeg and potpourri. Full-bodied with layers of fine tannins that are crunchy and silky, showing freshness and bright fruit at the end. Caressing texture. An excellent example of the vintage. Needs time to come together, but is very pretty and satisfying.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino comes from a warm but not extreme growing season, helped by timely rain and a normal harvest window. It pours a deep ruby red hue and opens with black raspberries, violets, fresh earth, licorice, and rosemary. Medium to full-bodied, it feels more vertical and energetic than the 2020, with a bright spine of acidity, well-defined tannins, and a long, focused finish that stays light on its feet. Drink 2026-2040. (JD)

The estate’s Riserva is only produced in years of incomparable greatness, or when there is a particularly compelling story to tell. The previous vintage, 2017, fell into the latter category, while 2019, conversely, celebrates an unequivocally superlative year. It leads with a heady mixture of clove, vanillin and coriander before distinct mineral notes take hold. The palate is still somewhat muddled after long ageing in Slavonian oak casks, though properly youthful. Taut yet concentrated with thrilling tension, it vibrates with frisky acidity. Well extracted clayey tannins demand at least a couple of years in the cellar. (MM)

Fragrant blue flower, fine tobacco blend, plum and eucalyptus are some of the beguiling aromas you’ll find on the compelling Franco Pacenti 2021 Brunello. The palate is equally captivating and utterly delicious, delivering spiced plum, succulent Marasca cherry, star anise and cake spice before closing on a spiced orange zest note. Tightly-knit, velvety tannins provide support while fresh acidity lends great energy. (KO)

Extremely perfumed, with aromas of black cherries, white roses, cedar and sandalwood that follow through to a medium body with gorgeous subtle fruit, fine tannins and a fresh and succulent finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in a couple of years.

Enticing aromas of red cherries, dried strawberries and hints of plums, cedar, sandalwood and balsamic. Medium-bodied with a tight and rich center palate and a chewy and powerful finish. This needs time to come together and soften slightly. Best after 2029.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova pours a deep red hue and opens with an exceptionally layered bouquet of suede, cigar box, tobacco, black cherries, and plum. Full-bodied, it’s packed with youthful tension at this stage, but it has a seamless, weightless feel, with polished tannins, refreshing acidity, and a flinty mineral edge that keeps the finish lifted and long. It’s a gorgeous Tenuta Nuova that has everything working in harmony and will only improve with time in bottle. (JD)

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is the most intense and brooding wine in the range and pours a saturated red hue. The nose is deep and savory, with preserved blackberries, plum, lavender, resinous herbs, dark chocolate, and polished leather. Full-bodied, it has real drive and depth, with ripe tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, structured finish that keeps unfolding with air. It’s a serious, age-worthy Brunello that deserves patience. Drink 2027-2055. (AF)

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a jeweled ruby hue and is strikingly pure and transparent from the start. The aromatics are lifted and detailed, with raspberry liqueur, crushed wildflowers, orange oil, bergamot, and a cool, stony mineral edge. Medium-bodied, it has a weightless feel yet tremendous depth, with polished, velvety tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, seamless finish that carries with quiet power. It should evolve beautifully with time and offer exceptional drinking over the next two to three decades. (AF)

The 2021 Brunello Helicrhysum is stunning wine with energy, structure and finesse. Made with organically grown grapes, it opens with heady aromas of new leather, lavender, dark spice and dark-skinned fruit. Firmly structured and showing great intensity, the palate delivers succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and dried mint alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. It’s still youthfully austere, with bright acidity. (KO)

Very attractive aromas of red cherries, mushrooms and flowers follow through to a medium body with firm and integrated tannins and a vivid, subtle, fruity finish. A lovely young Brunello that you can enjoy now or age for many years to come. Drink or hold. (JS)

The drop-dead gorgeous Gianni Brunelli stopped me in my tracks with its stunning fragrance of freshly picked violet, iris, forest berry, leather and eucalyptus. All about extreme elegance, the palate is equally captivating, delivering layers of succulent Morello cherry, wild raspberry, blood orange, dark spice and crushed mint. Taut, ultra-refined tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity keeps it vibrant and impeccably balanced. While it’s already incredibly tempting, it also promises years of graceful aging. Hats off to Laura Brunelli and her team. (KO)

Sweet berry, orange peel, nutmeg and cinnamon aromas. It’s medium-bodied with fine, precise tannins and a very long finish that caresses every inch of your palate. Extremely long and structured but refined and sophisticated. Best after 2027. (JS)

A restrained wine with a sleek, elegant nose of licorice, red cherries, cherry pits, Parma violets and a hint of balsamic. Precise, focused and full-bodied, it shows tension, firm yet ripe tannins, blood orange flavors, a tight yet woven palate and focused acidity. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a jeweled ruby hue and is strikingly pure and transparent from the start. The aromatics are lifted and detailed, with raspberry liqueur, crushed wildflowers, orange oil, bergamot, and a cool, stony mineral edge. Medium-bodied, it has a weightless feel yet tremendous depth, with polished, velvety tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, seamless finish that carries with quiet power. It should evolve beautifully with time and offer exceptional drinking over the next two to three decades. (AF)

The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigneti del Versante reveals a darker profile, opening to lifted notes of wet stone and a subtle flourish of reduction before revealing layers of black raspberries, violets, pepper spice, and forest earth. The palate is broader shouldered, with dark, earthy richness and a long finish. It's only going to improve with another year, but it won't be released for at least that long, if not longer. (AF)

The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is deeply complex and spicy, with a wild bouquet that blends orange shavings, sour cherries, rosemary and nuances of split pine. It possesses an impenetrable core of crunchy red berry fruits and mineral tones, with hints of clove adding a bitter bite under an air of violet inner florals. Youthfully dense yet refined, there is simply so much going on here, as tart cranberry blends with a saturation of fine tannins and inner rose tones swirl throughout. Nearly a minute goes by, and the 2021 can still be sensed through a tinge of licorice and lavender. This is a drop-dead gorgeous and radiant effort for Salvioni, with a bright future in store for patient collectors. (EG)

Wow. Seductive aromas of slate, violets and black cherries as well as some graphite and cedar. Full-bodied, this has incredible depth, intensity and purity, building on the palate with focused fruit and pronounced tannins. Goes on for minutes. A wine for the long run. Best of the vintage? Try after 2029.

A new wine that is a cask selection. It’s certainly different from the normal bottling, with aromas of red cherries, cedar, hibiscus and crushed stones. The palate shows round tannins and a juicy and savory finish. A second wine of this estate. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2028.

Hauntingly dark, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva displays a lovely elegance. A bouquet of mentholated black cherries and balsamic spices is lifted by whiffs of dried sage and pine shavings. Velvety smooth and nearly creamy in feel, it floods the palate with hints of ripe red and blue fruit. It has a core of zesty acidity maintains amazing energy and freshness. This leaves the senses enshrouded in a veil of fine-grained tannins, dramatically long and structured but with a concentration of primary saturation to balance. Bury this deep in the cellar—it's a masterpiece in the making. (EG)

Dedicated to Nello Baricci who founded the small estate in 1955, the 2019 Riserva Nello is compelling, starting with its enticing aromas of underbrush, pressed violet, camphor and ripe dark-skinned berry. Smooth and elegantly structured, the delicious palate has layers of flavors including juicy black cherry, raspberry, licorice and mocha set against a backbone of refined, close-grained tannins. Showing the nature of the vintage, it’s still youthfully austere, with vibrant acidity. It’s already gorgeous but give it time to fully develop. (KO)

Ripe woodland berry, blue flower, botanical herb and eucalyptus aromas lift out of the glass on the classy La Gerla 2021 Brunello. Linear, structured and loaded with finesse, the palate offers succulent red cherry, wild strawberry, star anise and crushed thyme alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Be patient and give it time to fully develop.

The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is darkly perfumed, evolving with nuances of dried rose, sage, cedar shavings and balsamic-tinged black cherries. It is beautifully balanced with silken depths of ripe red and blue fruits elevated by cooling acidity and a slightly spicy twang toward the close. The sweetest tannins imaginable frame the finish as this tapers off structured and long yet still perfumed and pleasurable. There's a lovely harmony here that keeps me coming back to the glass, even as the 2021 requires extensive cellaring.(EG)

The Brunellos from storied estate La Gerla just keep getting better every year and the 2021 La Pieve is utterly breathtaking, with gorgeous aromas of violet, eucalyptus, dark spice, new leather, cedar and forest berry. Showing elegance, intensity and restraint, the delicious palate delivers layers of wild raspberry, ripe cherry, star anise and mentholated notes alongside tightly woven, velvety tannins. Bright acidity provides impeccable balance and energy. This is undoubtedly one of the wines of the vintage.

Breathtaking purity of fruit here with such depth and presence. Full-bodied, yet you don’t see it. Weightless, this has a solid core of fruit plus refined and intense tannins that build in the finish. It’s rather endless and seamless. Give this four or five years to come around, but if you have a chance to taste it, don’t hold back. Best after 2028 and beyond.

A bright red color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino was bottled in March of 2024 and will be released in March of 2025. The aromas are layered and complex with notes of red berries, cranberries, rosemary, orange peel, and black licorice that are constantly evolving in the glass as it opens. Medium-bodied and structured, but also elegant with a weightless feel, it has a long and savory finish. It feels as though it's going to gain in intensity with more time in bottle. Drink 2027-2050. (AF)

Sweet tobacco and licorice combine with hints of incense and mentholated blackberries as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva emerges from the glass. This is surprisingly juicy and vibrant on the palate, with racy red and black fruit propelled by zesty acidity as a wild citrus spike embellishes the close. The 2019 leaves the senses reeling with youthful tension yet maintains fantastic energy, tapering off with staining length and sour cherry. The 2019 is already approachable yet balanced for a long and steady evolution. (EG)

The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Sugarille is layered with aromas of black licorice, wild raspberry, smoky cedar, and sweet Mediterranean herbs. It is medium to full-bodied with gorgeous concentration and length in its fresh cherry fruit, salty earth, ripe and present tannins, iron-rich earth, and warming spice. As it opens, it reveals layers of leather, fresh pine, and orange peel, and it is exceptionally balanced between its elegance, weightless feel, and noble tension. It needs another couple of years in bottle before hitting its prime drinking 2025-2045. (AF)

Displaying a saturated red/garnet color, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna La Casaccia has a detailed, layered profile that unfolds with notes of fresh rosemary, lavender, kirsch, boysenberry, and black olive. Medium to full-bodied, its savory Mediterranean profile shines brightly on the palate, with ripe tannins, refreshing acidity, and a lasting finish. It’s fabulous all around and will be worth stashing away and drinking over the next 20 years. (AF)

A complex wine with restrained aromas of red cherries, red currants, cherry pits, licorice, cinnamon, sweet violets and smoky wood. Very juicy, with ripe, velvety tannins that are vibrant, energetic, crisp and tight-knit. Full-bodied, this wine shows drinkability and potential for the long haul. Try from 2028. (AF)

The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is airy and fresh, blending stone dust and rose petals with autumnal spice and crushed strawberries. It is elegant and seamlessly silken in character, displaying impressive concentration and depth as ripe red fruits slowly saturate under an air of violet inner florals. A web of fine-grained tannins flexes upon the senses, leaving a sour cherry tinge and a pleasantly chewy sensation. (EG)

Deep, complex and graceful, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino entices with a cascade of blue and purple flowers, black cherries and hints of Tuscan spice. This is a radiant effort, with a tinge of tangerine up front that gives way to ripe red and black fruits propelled by tantalizing acidity. The 2019 tapers off long and staining, leaving a coating of fine tannins to flex their structural muscle as traces of black raspberry fade slowly. This is a soulful Brunello from start to finish. Beautifully done.

A focused beam of black cherry, cassis and violet flavors permeates this tensile red. Mineral and wild scrub notes add depth as this builds to the long, fruity and savory aftertaste. A salty element lingers. Best from 2029 through 2045. (BS)

The stunning Le Chiuse 2021 Brunello shows great intensity and structure as well as the elegant restraint the estate is known for. It opens with aromas of ripe plum, wild berry, forest floor, dark spice and blue flower as well as a camphor note. Vibrant, full-bodied and delicious, the palate delivers ripe Marasca cherry, crushed black raspberry, licorice and fine tobacco blend lifted by fresh acidity. Taut, well-integrated tannins provide polished support. (KO)

Ripe woodland berry, blue flower, botanical herb and eucalyptus aromas lift out of the glass on the classy La Gerla 2021 Brunello. Linear, structured and loaded with finesse, the palate offers succulent red cherry, wild strawberry, star anise and crushed thyme alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Be patient and give it time to fully develop.