The 7 Greatest Brunello di Montalcino Wines to Purchase Proper Now
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Considered the finest expression of the Sangiovese grape, Brunello di Montalcino is the standard bearer for the Tuscan variety. The vineyards surrounding the beautiful hilltop village of Montalcino received DOC status in 1968, and in 1980 Brunello di Montalcino was upgraded to become Italy’s first DOCG wine region. Signifying “controlled and guaranteed name of origin,” this is the country’s highest designation regarding production standards. Brunello wine is made with a dark, thick-skinned clone of Sangiovese called Sangiovese Grosso that locals call Brunello, which is a nickname for the Italian word for brown.
Made with 100 percent Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino wine must age at least two years in oak and an additional four months in bottle prior to release, but wines may not be sold any sooner than five years after the harvest. Riserva wines are sold six years after the harvest. On the one hand, aging prior to release means that the wine is ready to drink when you buy it, while on the other Brunello’s levels of tannins and acidity make it incredibly age-worthy, so these wines can spend decades in your cellar before opening. While the 2018s have just become available, you will not be disappointed if you pick up a bottle from another recent vintage, especially the outstanding 2015 harvest.
Expect bold red fruit flavors such as cherry, cranberry and fig with notes of vanilla, licorice, coffee, chocolate, violet or rose and touches of earthiness. Younger bottles will exhibit strong tannins, while those with a bit of age will show a more refined and polished tannic profile. Either way, the wine’s high acidity will keep the tannins from overpowering your palate. Brunello di Montalcino is terrific alongside risotto or pasta with mushrooms, classic Italian American entrees like veal or chicken parmesan, or flame-kissed Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Here are seven to savor now or cellar for a few years.
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Biondi-Santi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Italy
Biondi-Santi is considered by many to be the founder of Brunello di Montalcino. The house first produced a Riserva wine in 1888 and since the inception has only released a Riserva forty times. Each production is extremely limited with grapes coming from 25-year-old (or older) vines and visitors to the winery can see the estate’s wine library called “La Storica” with bottles from each of the forty historic releases. This wine is garnet colored with aromas of black cherry, licorice, caramel, and eucalyptus with polished tannins and flavors of strawberry, pomegranate, chocolate, and mint with an enduring finish marked by notes of dried Mediterranean herbs. Drink now or hold for up to 25 years.
Buy Now: $270
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Cortonesei La Mannella 2015 Brunello de Montalcino Riserva Italy
This delectable wine is made from the winery’s oldest single vineyard which was planted in 1983 and is in the Montosoli subzone which is known for soils composed of grey rocks and clay. This wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 48 months. It has enticing aromas of tobacco leaf, Christmas baking spices, and black cherry that lead to flavors of black currant, black plum, fig, and cigar box with a lifted note of eucalyptus in the finish.
Buy Now: $150
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Caparzo 2015 La Casa Brunello di Montalcino Italy
The first vintage of La Casa was in 1977 and since then Caparzo has been well known for their consistent excellence. Grapes for this bottling come from the 12 acre La Casa Vineyard which sits on the Montosoli Hill at an altitude of 850 feet. The wine is aged in oak for at least two years then in bottle for at least four months. Ruby garnet in color with aromas of red raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, rose petal, baking spice, and vanilla, it has flavors of ripe cassis, black berry, and red plum with a strong tannic backbone. Drink now through 2035.
Buy Now: $80
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Argiano 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Italy
Argiano was founded in Montalcino in 1580 and the average age of Sangiovese vines that produce grapes for this delightful wine is 35 years. The vines are situated at altitudes of 885 to 1,050 feet, are dry farmed, and tended according to organic principles. The wine is aged 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks and is bottled unfiltered and unfined. It has aromas of wild red raspberry, black berry, and red plum and flavors of black currant, chocolate, and black plum with a touch of vanilla and brown baking spices that linger on the palate.
Buy Now: $80
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Fattoria dei Barbi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Italy
The vineyards and land surrounding Fattoria dei Barbi have been owned by the Cinelli Colombini family since 1352. They have produced Brunello since 1892 and were among the first wineries to export Brunello to Asia and the Americas. Today the winery is under the command of Stefano Cinelli Colombini, who oversees the production of his family’s quality wine. The 2018 is garnet ruby colored with aromas of black raspberry, black plum, and tobacco leaf and has flavors of cherry, cranberry, and Mission fig enveloped in generous, round tannins.
Buy Now: $75
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Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli Italy
Grapes for this enticing Brunello di Montalcino come from the I Paganelli vineyard which was planted in 1964. The estate only makes Riserva wines in exceptional years. After the initial fermentation, the wine is allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before ageing in French oak barrels. It has aromas of leather, brown baking spices, red raspberry, and black plum with flavors of ripe red fruits, cassis, and a touch of cedar box. The acidity is well balanced, the tannins are well integrated, and the finish is long and satisfying.
Buy Now: $135
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Castiglion del Bosco 2016 Millecento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Italy
In 1967 Castiglion del Bosco was one of the twenty-five founding members of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino. The estate dates back to the 12th century and for the last 400 years has one of the largest land holdings in the area, totaling 5,000 acres. Massimo Ferragamo acquired the estate in 2003 and painstakingly restored the property to its original splendor. Riserva Millecento was first released in 2004 and the 2016 continues the legacy with aromas of red raspberry, red plum, Mission fig, and cranberry. It is well balanced in the mouth with flavors of cassis, pomegranate, and freshly picked black plum. Drink now through 2036.
Buy Now: $250
Source: Robb Report