The 7 Best 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Wines to Drink Now
Canalicchio di Sopra; Tenute Silvio Nardi; Frescobaldi.
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Many wine experts (including ourselves) consider Brunello di Montalcino DOCG to be the peak expression of the Sangiovese grape. And when it comes to grape nomenclature, the name “Sangiovese,” derived from the Latin sanguis Jovis, or blood of Jove—the Roman king of the gods—makes it even more impressive. Brunello translates as “the brown one” in local Tuscan dialect, which is how wines made in Montalcino from this little brown-colored grape came to be called Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
We recently tasted a wide range of Brunello di Montalcinos, and for this week’s wine recommendations, we concentrated on the 2020 vintage because we found the wines to be delicious, stunning, easy to drink, and age-worthy. Although many of us have put it out of our heads, 2020 was a time of crisis in the world due to the Covid pandemic, but many winemakers in the northern hemisphere found this to be a wonderful time to be outdoors in the vineyard. They had time to watch the vines very closely and monitor grape and leaf growth without any outside distractions. The weather also cooperated with early summer rain and good water reserves to get them through the warm summer growing season, and the daytime temperatures remained moderate with plenty of nighttime cool breezes. The harvest was relaxed without the threat of rain, so vineyard workers could pick the grapes at their optimal ripeness. This combination of factors with the relaxed atmosphere in the cellars provided ideal conditions to produce excellent wines. Here are seven of our favorite 2020 Brunello di Montalcino wines.
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Tenute Silvio Nardi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: Tenute Silvio Nardi Silvio Nardi purchased the Casale del Bosco estate located in the northwestern corner of Montalcino in 1950 and produced his first vintage of Brunello di Montalcino even though the official consortium had not yet been established. He was one of the original founders of the Consorzio di Vino Brunello di Montalcino in 1967. Today, the estate that still bears his name has 121 acres of vine registered exclusively for the production of Brunello di Montalcino. Tenute Silvio Nardi 2020 is cherry red in the glass with aromas of ripe red raspberry, a touch of saddle leather, and red and black plum that transition to flavors of bright red and black fruits with silky soft tannins and long, long persistence in the post palate.
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Canalicchio di Sopra 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: Canalicchio di Sopra Primo Pacenti founded Canalicchio di Sopra in 1962, and in 1987 his son-in-law Pier Luigi Ripaccioli began working with him in the vineyard. Today grandchildren Simonetta, Francesco, and Marco continue the work started by their grandfather. Canalicchio di Sopra was also one of the original 12 founders of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. Its 2020 Brunello has aromas of red plum, red raspberry, and lifted notes of balsa wood. Silky soft tannins are wrapped around flavors of red cherry, cranberry, and black plum that linger on the tastebuds.
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Banfi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: Banfi Two Italian American brothers, Harry and John Mariani, founded Banfi in 1978. The duo who brought in Ezio Rivella, a well-known Italian winemaker to help develop the land they purchased in Montalcino. Today the company is run by third generation proprietor Cristina Mariani-May. Its 2020 is drinking perfectly right now with aromas of plum, tobacco leaf, and whiffs of vanilla and black raspberry. Plush tannins and well-integrated acidity support flavors of purple violets, dried cranberry, and a touch of red licorice.
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Castello Romitorio 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: Castello Romitorio We have been fans of Castello Romitorio wines for decades and excitedly await the new release every year for both the art inside bottle and the outside label. Artist Sandro Chia restored the castle in the 1980s with the collaboration of winemaker Franco Martini. The brand’s 2020 has aromas of red plum, cherry cola, and bramble with flavors of black raspberry, dried Mediterranean herbs, and dried cherry that are sheathed in a web of silky tannins.
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Frescobaldi 2020 CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: Frescobaldi The first members of the Frescobaldi family moved to Florence in the year 1,000 and are known for many accomplishments, including constructing the first wooden bridge over the Arno River. Today, Lamberto Frescobaldi’s bridge has been rebuilt and is known as the Ponte Santa Trinita. The Frescobaldis are known for growing Sangiovese grapes and making excellent wine, but their family was one of the first to bring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, and Chardonnay to Tuscany. The 2020 CastelGiocondo is made from Sangiovese and has aromas of cherry, red plum, and vanilla. It is well rounded in the mouth with velvety tannins and flavors of dried cranberry, red cherry, and black plum.
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Gianni Brunelli 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: Gianni Brunelli Gianni Brunelli returned home to Montalcino in 1987 and was lucky to buy back his father’s 12-acre farm Le Chiuse di Sotto. Half of the farm is dedicated to growing Sangiovese grapes, while the other half is covered with a grove of olive trees. Besides making great wine, Brunelli produces delicious olive oil available for purchase at the estate. His 2022 Brunello di Montalcino is cherry red in the glass with aromas of brown baking spices, saddle leather, and plum. Bright acidity, polished tannins, and flavors of red raspberry, cherry, and dried cranberry delight the mid palate and post palate.
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La Torre 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy
Image Credit: La Torre La Torre was founded in 1976 and produced its first Brunello di Montalcino in 1982. The estate consists of 88 acres in total, with 13 acres planted as vineyards and has soils comprised of limestone, pietraserena, and galestro with plenty of stones for drainage. La Torre 2020 Brunello di Montalcino has aromas of dried fig, red cherry, and red raspberry that pave the way for soft, rounded tannins and flavors of tobacco leaf, dried cherry, and red plum.
