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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)

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. Try after 2028. (JS)

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. Drink 2028-2055. (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)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2015 Castello di Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (94DC, 94IWR, 94JS, 93RP, 93WS) and 1-bottle of 2016 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (95JS, 94RP, 92WE, 92WS, 91JD). Of the 2016 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino, James Suckling writes: "Lots of plum and dark-berry character with citrus, cedar and sandalwood. Very pure sangiovese. Full-bodied with firm, racy tannins and cool, vivid fruit at the finish. Some mineral, tar and steel undertones. Needs time to open and soften." (11/2020)

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. (JS)

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. Drink 2026-2050. (AF)

The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino has a beautifully inviting, multi-dimensional nose, with black raspberries, tea leaf, violets, rosemary, and subtle smoky accents that give way to brighter red cherry fruit with air. Medium to full-bodied, it comes across as one of the more approachable, immediate vintages from the estate in a relative sense, offering more early charm while still staying true to Biondi-Santi’s signature tension and freshness. It has ripe tannins, a sense of quiet structure, and a savory youthful grip on the finish that keeps it honest and age-worthy. This is a wine I would love to revisit with more bottle age. Drink 2027-2047. (AF)

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. (JS)

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 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.

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. (JS)

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.

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)

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. Drink after 2026. (JS)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2007 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Features tertiary notes of graham cracker, dried carob powder, ripe berry fruit, black currant, cured meat, and leather, alongside a dusty, powdery quality.

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2016 Casanova di Neri "Tenuta Nuova" Brunello di Montalcino (99JS, 98IWR, 97DC, 97RP, 96JD, 96VN, 95WS). James Suckling: "Incredibly complex with black truffle, spice, flowers, currants and black cherries. Smells like a bouquet of flowers. Full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and incredible depth and length. Seamless and structured with great tannins for long-term aging. It goes on for minutes. Great class. This is a fabulous wine for the cellar. " (06/2022)

Bid on this bottle of 2015 Le Ragnaie "Casanovina Montosoli" Brunello di Montalcino (97VN, 97WS, 95JS, 95RP, 93W&S). Vinous: "Dark and brooding today, the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Casanovina Montosoli lifts from the glass with an alluring display of mineral-infused black cherry, complemented by hints of mint leaf, then given further depths, as dark soil tones and a hint of animal musk develops in the glass. The 2015 races across the palate with velvety textures, yet it is somehow lifted, as notes of strawberry and cedar give way to savory herbs and minerals with pretty inner florals. The finish is long, revealing a web of complex tannins upon the senses, as hints of wild berry fruit lingers with just enough residual acids to keep the expression fresh. The 2015 is just a baby today. It shows so much tension and density, with layers of unseen depth that could one day result in this being one of the best wines of the vintage. (EG)" (03/2020)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2012 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino (94DC, 94RP, 93JS, 93KO, 93VN, 93W&S, 92WS). Wine Advocate: "This is the first sample tasted in this historic retrospective. The Il Poggione 2012 Brunello di Montalcino makes for a beautiful surprise and is a fitting preface to the older vintages to follow. The wine reveals nice tannic structure at the back with lots of spice and mature fruit layered over. The quality of the silky tannins stands out especially. There is dark richness and concentration with leather and tobacco. This vintage saw its challenges, mostly due to scorching summer heat and dry winds, but the wine is all pleasure at this point in its drinking evolution. In fact, this is sheer delight. (ML)" (02/2023)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2006 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Features tertiary and ripe fruit aromas including crushed mineral, asphalt, cola, dried mint, wild berries, red cherries, and cassis, complemented by a tight, structured, and long finish.

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2010 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino (98JS, 95IWR, 95RP, 94VN, 93WS, 92WE, 91W&S), 1-bottle of 2010 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino (96JS, 94RP, 93VN, 92WS, 91DC, 91W&S), and 1-bottle of 2010 Villa I Cipressi "Zebras" Brunello di Montalcino (98JS, 96WS, 94RP, 94WE, 93W&S, 92VN). Of the 2010 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino, James Suckling writes: "An unforgiving and powerfully structured wine with fabulous grilled meat and granite stone character with dried berry and flower petal. Full body, chewy and intense. Great structure and extremely long and intense. Sexy austerity. Gets the juices going. Best ever from here. Reminds me of the great Argianos of the 1970s but now! " (12/2014)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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. (AF)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2018 Casanova di Neri "Tenuta Nuova" Brunello di Montalcino (96JD, 96JS, 96TWI, 95RP, 93DC, 93VN, 93WS). James Suckling: "Elegant and perfumed nose of dried roses, violets, lemon zest, slate, cherries, aniseed and truffles. Very fine, tight and precise tannins. Medium to full body. I like the floral and saline undertones. So precise and fresh with a tight finish. Crushed stones at the end. Try in 2025, but already attractive to taste and drink." (06/2022)

Bid on this magnum of 1997 Capanna Brunello di Montalcino 1.5L. 94 Points Wine Spectator This shows amazing aromas of dried and fresh spices, a well as ripe furits. Full-bodied, with firm and very reserved tannins, yet it's powerful and dense. Best after 2006 JS........... Greg St.Clair's Notes: Capanna 1250 cases produced Inviting, seductive, warm fruits flow from the glass; they seem to thicken the air around you. The wine is dark, dense, concentrated fruit, thick and muscular, broad on the palate with leather, green tea, spice and warm, plumy fruit, soft melting chocolate, powerful, linear structure underlies the fleshy exterior of the wine, long finish, very, very good. One of my favorites wines of the vintage. Capanna sits just north of Montalcino up the hill from Montosoli and west of Valdicava's Madonna del Piano vineyard in a Cretaceous clay and silt soil called Galestro that is famous in Tuscany for being associated with high quality wines.

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 Biondi-Santi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is initially a reticent wine and one that does not immediately subscribe to the overstated abundance and exuberance of the vintage. Give it time. I wrote this review after several tastings over several days so I could ensure a more accurate account of the wine's elegant reveal. Contemplative and exceedingly nuanced in personality, with wild berry, underbrush, ferrous earth and candied orange peel, this has everything to look forward to in terms of its future evolution in the bottle. It displays a pretty ruby color that borders on garnet and polished copper. A silky, mid-weight palate is accented by beautifully managed and silky tannins (this aspect of the mouthfeel is extraordinary), bright freshness and long-lasting fruit momentum. The alcohol is a bit more powerful in this release (at 14.5%), but the effect is supple and smooth nonetheless. 98+ (ML)

The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is a benchmark wine for the estate and one of the clear standouts of the vintage. It shows gorgeous transparency on the nose, with bergamot, incense, fresh red berries, cherries, and a saline mineral drive. Medium to full-bodied, it’s weightless and incredibly precise, with ripe tannins, focused acidity, and a finish that carries for ages without feeling heavy. This captures what makes the 2019 vintage so compelling, and it should evolve beautifully over the next several decades. Drink 2028-2058. (AF)

Restrained strawberries and cherries, with a touch of lavender and a lot of licorice. Super juicy on the palate with thick, chalky tannins at the moment, yet they are balanced by supple, sweet fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with a very savory aftertaste. Though pleasant, it’s not fully ready to drink now, and there’s a lot of potential for the long haul. (AF)

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. (JS)

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)

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)

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)

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. (JS)

The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino (with only 6,000 bottles made) is a joy. This classic 2016 vintage was extremely kind to Sangiovese, but not all producers were able to harness this level of varietal purity, elegance and sheer energy. This soulful wine is indeed best characterized by its inner electricity. The "donkey's back," or Schiena d'Asino, is a special vineyard site where grapes enjoy long sun hours and cool nighttime temperatures. (ML)

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)

The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Bassolino Di Sopra is layered and profound on the nose, with sweet orange, spice, black raspberries, kirsch, and a captivating aromatic depth that's as good as it gets. The palate is medium to full-bodied and seamless, with velvety tannins, pinpoint acidity, and a level of refinement and length that puts it among the very best wines of the region in 2019. Everything resonates with precision, and it should age effortlessly for decades. Drink 2026-2055. (AF)

Really pretty fruit with pure berries and cherries with flowers. It’s medium-bodied with medium round tannins and a juicy finish. Shows a citrusy undertone to the whole thing with fresh acidity that runs long. Give it two or three years to come together. Better after 2025.

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. (JS)

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)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino (92JS, 92RP, 91VN, 90WS). Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino comes across as lush and concentrated with bold fruit tones that wrap smoothly over the palate. The wine is well-balanced and really doesn't show overt signs of the hot 2009 vintage. In fact, the bright crispness, backed by sharp aromas of chopped mint and blue flower, show the quality of fruit that comes from this historic estates from one of the southern-most and warmest points of the appellation. This is a beautiful effort that will award those who wait a bit longer. All eyes are on Argiano since the famous property was purchased by Brazilian investors a few years back. This tasting confirms that the signature winemaking style has remained consistent across the estate's various denomination and IGT Toscana products. (ML)" (02/2014)

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is one of my favorite wines of the year. It gets as close to Brunello perfection as vinously possible. Fruit is sourced exclusively from the estate's oldest vines in the Vigna Vecchia Mercatale vineyard, the oldest Canalicchio cru. The vines were planted in 1987-1988. They are in their prime production years right now. This is first time the Riserva is made exclusively from that site. The depth of this wine is extraordinary. The wine starts with a playful offering of red fruit and cherry. Like many of the wines from this vintage, the bouquet takes a while to arrive at full intensity. That margin should shorten as the wine continues its cellar aging and evolution. Yet, the slow start to the bouquet is ultimately what drives your interest in this wine. The mouthfeel is exceptional with tannins that are both silky and firm at the same time. (ML)

More savory than sweet, the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass with nuances of wild strawberry, rose petals, mint and white smoke. It is lifted and graceful in feel, with round textures and pretty red berry fruits elevated by tantalizing acidity. A subtle mineral crunch mingles with delicate tannins as the 2021 echoes with a wild berry resonance. This understated yet beautiful Brunello benefited from the inclusion of juice from both the Fornace and Petroso vineyards. (EG)