Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Score

98

"Pouring a bright red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is expressive and pure, with layered notes of cherry cordial, blood orange, cranberries, and a touch of white smoke. The palate is full-bodied yet weightless, with coiled, ripe tannins, bright acidity, and mouthwatering salinity that amplifies everything without feeling heavy. It™s exceptionally young and tense today, with a long, resonant finish, and it should be a brilliant wine to cellar for decades. Drink 2027-2057."

Score

98

"Fragrant and loaded with finesse, the stunning Gianni Brunelli 2019 Brunello Riserva mesmerizes with its intense aromas of camphor, purple flower, wild berry, underbrush, cedar and dark exotic spice. Full-bodied and showing restrained elegance, the vibrant, savory palate features juicy Morello cherry, wild raspberry, star anise and spiced orange zest set against firm, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it vibrant and balanced. It™s still youthfully austere at this stage so give it time to fully develop even more complexity. Drink 2031"2044. Abv: 14% Kerin O™Keefe November 2024"

Score

97

"#53 Top 100 Wines of 2025: Like some of the finest wines, this stands out for bright fruit and drinkability but has huge structure and potential for the long haul. On the nose, it shines with youthfulness, showing telltale raspberries fresh with smoky-woodland and licorice depth. The attack is full-bodied with elegant, thick, velvety tannins, structured and refined. This has a crisp, long and superpolished finish despite the frame. Best ever from here. Drink or hold."

Score

97

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a beautifully intense and rich expression of Sangiovese. Only 3,600 bottles and some larger formats were created. The wine is expertly played out with hydrated tannins, bold fruit flavors and a long finish. This epic wine follows in the footsteps of the 2016 vintage, probably the best ever in my view. This estate does an excellent job of combining power and elegance in perfect unison and balance."

Score

96

"A whiff of white smoke and sweet sage gives way to mint-laced black cherries and hints of balsamic spice as the alluring 2019 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. It presents a sweet-and-sour sensation, washing across the palate with soft and pliant textures as ripe wild berry fruits swirl across a stream of brilliant acidity. A tinge of tart citrus embellishes the close. The 2019 finishes long yet structured and intense, leaving a saturation of blackberry and a savory herbal thrust. This is an exceptionally refined and graceful Riserva from Gianni Brunelli. Fantastic."

Score

95

"Among those estate that don™t produce a Riserva every vintage, Gianni Brunelli™s last release was in 2016. While it encapsulated the depth and classicism of that vintage, this 2019 plays to the year™s expressiveness and elegance. There is beautiful clarity of lavender and cherry blossom on a backdrop of dry, sunbaked earth. The palate is equally perfumed, bringing in accents of fennel and tarragon, and sappy acidity magnifies the sheer tastiness. Fine-boned, almost delicate in structure, yet the wine endures and persists."

Score

92

"Mint and menthol mingle with black cherry and blackberry fruit in this fluid red. Firmly structured, with well-endowed tannins gracing the finish. In the end, the equilibrium tips toward the tannins. Best from 2028 through 2042."

Score

17+

"Lustrous mid ruby. Brooding, deep raspberry nose with earthy mineral and exotic spice touches. Racy acidity and fragrant raspberry fruit with a lightness of touch that comes as a complete surprise after the nose. Elegant, finely ground tannins. In an unsettled state so a little more patience is needed. (WS)"