Brunello di Montalcino

Score

95+

"Nuances of crushed rocks, menthol and citrus-infused blackberries waft up as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino evolves in the glass. It is harmonious throughout, lifted yet silky in texture, with a wave of ripe red and black fruits alongside brisk acidity. Crunchy mineral tones add depth toward the minty-fresh close. The 2021 finishes staining and full of youthful tension."

Score

94

"A classic and spicy wine with aromas of licorice, smoky wood, wild strawberries and red cherries. Full-bodied and crisp, with firm, chalky tannins, savory dried cherry flavors and a tight yet ripe finish. Try after 2027."

Score

94

"Displaying a medium red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is expressive on opening, with a brightly spiced nose of dried orange peel, cranberries, redcurrants, dried earth, cinnamon, and clove. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant, with refined tannins, refreshing acidity, and a chalky texture that feels a touch understated at this early stage. On a second tasting, it showed fabulous length, balance, and focus, and it should only get better with another 6-12 months in bottle before drinking beautifully over the coming 12-15 years. Drink 2026-2046."

Score

94

"Aromas of forest floor, ripe black plum, blue flower and a whiff of resin form the nose on the Voliero 2021 Brunello. On the full-bodied palate, velvety tannins envelop succulent black cherry, bitter orange and tobacco. You™ll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish. Abv: 15% Kerin O'Keefe January 2026"

Score

94

"Showing structure and depth, the Voliero 2021 Brunello di Montalcino reflects the balance and power of the vintage with young, firm tannins framing dark fruit flavors of blackcurrant, plum and toasted spice. The tannins are assertive at this stage and will need time to integrate, rewarding patience in the cellar. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and uses dry ice to preserve freshness, followed by 30 months of aging in oak vessels of various sizes, a regimen that underscores varietal character. Production totals 9,300 bottles plus larger formats."

Score

93

"Menthol and eucalyptus aromas and flavors highlight this red. Offers juicy cherry and raspberry fruit midpalate before the burly tannins leave their mark on the compact, mineral-infused finish."

Score

17

"Maturing mid ruby with orange tinges. Herbal notes and dark, dried tobacco leaf over sour cherry on the nose and with a hint of cinnamon. Cumin hints over cherry fruit on the palate with beautiful coating tannins. A little rustic, definitely genuine and with age this will improve. -WS"

Score

95

"Hauntingly dark and perfumed, the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino blends crushed violets with minty herbs, dried black cherries and cedary spice. It displays remarkable balance, with radiant wild berry fruit and sweet inner florals. Primary concentration and rounded tannins mark the finish as tinges of blackberry and sweet sage fade slowly. Andrea Cortonesi derived amazing harmony from the 2020 vintage."

Score

94

"Plenty of black cherries and orange peel with hints of fresh flowers. Lovely depth to this. Medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins that are polished and focused. Tangy at the end. Better than 2019. Needs three or four years to soften and open. Best after 2027."

Score

94

"Pouring a saturated red color, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is fresh and minty on the nose with notes of preserved cranberries, currant, orange peel, toasted incense, and rocky earth. Medium-framed and refreshing, it has finely coiled tannins and a clean feel, with elegant length and a weightless feel. This very elegant Brunello is lovely early on but should continue to have lots to offer over the coming 10 or more years. Drink 2026-2040."

Score

93

"Aromas of blue flower, plum cake, new leather and resin waft out of the glass on the polished Voliero 2020 Brunello. Supple and savory, the enveloping palate is already rather accessible, doling out fleshy black cherry, licorice, mocha and baking spice accompanied by velvety tannins. Drink 2027"2032. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O™Keefe November 2024"

Score

93

"The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino shows a big embrace of cherry, cassis and purple fruits. That core of bright berry is framed by baked clay, grilled herb and lightly toasted spice. This vintage carries extra fruit weight over a fresh, medium to full-bodied texture. Production is 7,600 bottles, with bigger formats too."

Score

93

"Lithe and linear, this red reveals strawberry, cherry, white pepper, floral and mineral aromas and flavors. Underlined by a line of dense, sinewy tannins, leaving a dusty feel on the long finish. Best from 2028 through 2045. 633 cases made, 300 cases imported."

Score

16

"Just mid ruby. Lifted, red-fruit nose with dark-spice notes and tobacco leaf and a suggestion of oak. Sappy cherry fruit that is already a little evolved. Lots of acidity and powdery tannins, but there is proper fruit on the finish. (WS)"

Score

96

"The nose is a rainy day in the garden, as notes of soil, leather and tobacco mingle with undertones of cherry, bitter orange and herbs, with pepper streaking through it all. The cherries and earth both continue on the energetic, slightly medicinal palate, before a dramatic finish of acid circling the endless battle between fruit and earthiness. ‡ Danielle Callegari"

Score

95

"The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is wildly spicy and earthy, with flowery undergrowth, woodland berries and hints of sour citrus forming its dramatic bouquet. This is cool-toned and pliant, opening with a tinge of minerality. Silky textures and crisp red berry fruits add a crunchy sensation toward the close. The 2013 still maintains a youthful tension and finishes nearly salty in character, as hints of sour cherry fade over a bed of adolescent tannins. This is on the cusp of its drinking window, but it,s still shaking off some of its rough edges. Pure beauty."

Score

94

Score

94

Score

94

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino takes its time opening in the glass, as a charming mix of crushed violets, dusty lavender and black currants form its understated bouquet. It™s soft-textured and round on the palate, with potent red fruits and cooling mineral tones that give way to a slight herbal-peppery tinge toward the close. This finishes grippy and savory in style, yet with residual acids that help to maintain fantastic balance, as blue- and purple-tinged inner florals slowly fade. The 2018 is an understated beauty, yet it will require patience to come fully into focus."

Score

93

Score

93

Score

93

"Savory and juicy with aromas of dried herbs, currants, cherries, olives and bark. It,s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a bright, succulent finish. Drink or hold."

Score

93

"The medium red 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino opens to notes of tobacco, redcurrants, zesty orange, and spice. It's ripe but zesty and snappy on the palate, with a slightly salty, mouthwatering feel and grippy tannins that still feel youthful, although I'm not sure they're going to calm down soon. I like the structure, but this is a vintage that craves some fattiness and richness from the food it's paired with. Drink 2025-2040."

Score

93+

Score

92

Score

92

Score

92

Score

91

Score

90