Brunello di Montalcino, often simply called Brunello, is one of Italy's most prestigious red wines. This Sangiovese-based blend combines power, complexity, and longevity, making it a must-try for wine enthusiasts. Our guide explores the top Brunello wines, comparing their styles, aging potential, and value to help you make an informed choice.
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Reviews
Nestled in Montalcino's heart, Ridolfi's historic courtyard offers breathtaking views of the town. Their Brunello di Montalcino stands out under the expert guidance of Gianni Maccari, former Poggio Di Sotto winemaker who transformed that Brunello into a powerhouse. This wine shines through its natural vineyard practices, from copper and sulphur treatments to innovative pest control methods that protect the environment while allowing the Sangiovese grape to flourish in diverse soils. The result is a refined Brunello that pairs beautifully with summer meals, featuring delicate fruit notes, minerality, and subtle herbal undertones that develop beautifully with age.
This Italian Brunello delivers intense red fruit flavors with notes of spice and licorice, showing both power and balance. The ripe cherry and tobacco finish lingers nicely on the palate. Best enjoyed over the next decade and a half.
A family-owned Brunello that develops remarkable complexity with air - the oak fermentation adds depth, while the firm tannins and juicy acidity create a wonderfully structured profile. The rich cherry fruit is balanced by herbal notes of thyme and rosemary, with subtle hints of coffee and dark chocolate that linger on the palate. This is a wine that rewards patience and paired perfectly with a selection of meats and aged cheeses.
If you're seeking an approachable alternative to traditional Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino offers drinkable quality at a fraction of the cost. While opinions vary, with some reviewers finding it lacking despite the DOCG requirements, others praise its aromatics and fruitiness. This versatile wine works well for both immediate enjoyment and cellar potential, though keep in mind it may benefit from additional aging to fully realize its potential.
A 375 ml portion of Brunello di Montalcino that delivers the plush red fruit and spice character you'd expect from the Tuscan classic, though its firm tannins and subtle earthy notes suggest it needs a bit more bottle age to fully soften and integrate. The vibrant cherry and floral core, framed by subtle tar and eucalyptus, makes this compact bottle a practical choice for sharing or cellar work, though its intensity might be a bit much for casual drinking.
Imagine a ruby-colored wine with rich violet floral notes and flavors of dark plums and blackberries, complemented by hints of chocolate and leather. The tannins are silky and supple, with vibrant acidity giving the wine structure and freshness. While delicious now, this Brunello will develop complexity over the next few years, making it both approachable and rewarding for aging.
This Italian red wine grape, with its centuries-old history in Tuscany, brings intense fruit flavors and bright acidity to every glass. While you might recognize Sangiovese from its famous Chianti home, this grape also creates distinctive wines that stand on their own. From light, refreshing table wines to robust, complex bottles, there's a Sangiovese style to match every taste preference.
The 2017 Canalicchio sopra Brunello di Montalcino balances power and elegance, with a complex nose of balsam herbs and savory spices that give way to a silky mouthfeel and vibrant acidity. Concentrated flavors of black cherry and tobacco wrap around velvety tannins, while fragrant rose petals and sour wild berries add depth and freshness. This refined Brunello reveals layers of wild cherry, almond, and lilac over a long, mineral-driven finish.
Handcrafted by the Tassi family in the picturesque hills of Montalcino, this ruby-red Brunello showcases rich tones of red fruit and subtle spice on the nose, with a beautifully structured finish that pairs wonderfully with hearty stews and aged cheeses. The wine spends an impressive 36 months in wooden barrels, allowing the Sangiovese grapes to develop complex flavors while maintaining a seamless integration of fruit and tannin. Each sip reveals layers of complexity that evolve with time in the glass, making it a rewarding choice for both casual drinkers and enthusiasts who appreciate the nuances of Italian wine craftsmanship.
This elegant Brunello packs a powerful punch with bright fruit flavors and subtle smoke notes, all wrapped up in a perfectly balanced 15% alcohol package. Drinking beautifully now, it pairs wonderfully with rich meats and aged cheeses. The best part? It comes in a generous 750ml bottle that's sure to please any wine lover.
This robust Brunello di Montalcino showcases complex layers of dark berries, violets, and spices, enhanced by vanilla and wood notes. The full-bodied wine exhibits elegant balance with a long finish, making it ideal for pairing with rich meats like entrecôte, wild game such as boar and pheasant, and decadent dishes featuring white truffles and mature cheeses. The firm tannins and woodsy character create a sophisticated foundation for its fruit-forward flavors of beet root and red cherry.
A captivating Brunello di Montalcino that unfolds in layers of dark berry fruits, baking spices, and subtle floral notes. The wine's silky texture and well-integrated tannins make it approachable yet structured, with hints of cedar and freshly crushed herbs that hint at its potential to develop complexity over the next decade. While it's drinking beautifully now, this elegant Brunello is built for patience and will reward those willing to cellar it for another four to five years.
This elegant Brunello di Montalcino showcases rich dark fruit flavors complemented by earthy undertones and a subtle smokiness, all supported by well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity. Produced from carefully selected 20-year-old vines in calcareous clay soil, the wine undergoes a precise fermentation process that balances intense fruit character with refined complexity. Its robust yet graceful profile makes it equally at home with rich autumn meals or enjoyed on its own as a meditation on the perfect marriage of terroir and craft.
In the early 1970s, Altesino revolutionized Montalcino wine with the groundbreaking Montosoli vineyard. This five-hectare hillside plot, renowned for its limestone soil and diverse microclimates, produces just one Brunello di Montalcino annually - a meticulously aged wine that develops intense ruby-red tones over time.
Sergio Marchetti's Fossacolle estate in Tavernelle crafts a remarkable Brunello di Montalcino that beautifully balances ripe red berry flavors with subtle spice notes. The 2013 vintage, with its perfect harmony of cherry fruit and damp earth tones, showcases the region's ideal growing conditions without the stress of challenging weather. This velvety wines' potential for aging and immediate pleasure makes it a standout choice for both cellaring and immediate enjoyment.
Alessandro Mori's Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie transcends mere wine, embodying the soul of Sangiovese through its complex layers of dark fruit, spice, and tobacco. The 2012 vintage, with its perfectly balanced acidity and profound purity, reveals why this Tuscan gem earned 99 points from both Monica Larner and Kerin O'Keefe - expert critics who praised its nuanced depth and remarkable complexity. Only 6,200 bottles exist, making each one a rare expression of Italian enology that deserves careful cellaring to unlock its full potential.
In 2018, Fanti produced a remarkable Brunello despite challenging weather conditions. The blend of dark cherry, raspberry fruit, and aromatic elements like toasted almond and mint creates a complex profile that's both intense and balanced. The velvety tannins and subtle notes of cinnamon lend structure and persistence to the finish.
This Italian Brunello di Montalcino develops rich flavors of blackberry and crushed raspberry, complemented by hints of cedar and truffle. The medium-to-full-bodied wine features precise tannins and tangy acidity, making it an ideal pairing for red game meat and strong cheeses like pecorino and parmesan. Its complexity and balance make it drinkable now while showing promise for further aging.
Buyer's Guide
Brunello di Montalcino is a celebrated Italian wine that requires careful consideration when selecting a bottle. Understanding the classification system, vintage quality, and producer reputation will help you choose a truly exceptional Brunello experience.
Vintage Consideration
The vintage significantly impacts Brunello's complexity and character. Look for wines from warmer years (2015, 2017) that offer more fruitiness and richness, while cooler years (2010, 2013) produce more structured, age-worthy bottles. Check the label for specific vintage notation to guide your selection.
Classification Understanding
Brunello wines come in three classifications: Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva vintage. Riserva wines undergo longer aging, typically offering greater depth and complexity. Vintage Riserva indicates even longer aging requirements, usually five years before release.
Producer Research
Researching producers reveals substantial differences in quality and style. Renowned producers like Aldo Ronzoni and La Maia consistently deliver excellent Brunello wines. Smaller, family-run estates often produce more characterful, terroir-driven expressions worth seeking out.
Storage and Serving
Proper storage keeps Brunello at its best, requiring a cool, dark place with consistent humidity between 55-70%. Serve at around 65°F (18°C) for optimal drinking. Younger Brunello pairs well with hearty red meats, while aged examples complement complex stews and aged cheeses.
FAQ
What is Brunello wine?
Brunello wine is a red wine produced in Tuscany, Italy, made exclusively from the Sangiovese Grosso grape variety, which is also known as Brunello. The name "Brunello" literally means "little brown one" in Italian, a reference to the dark color of the grape variety.
Unlike other Tuscan wines that can be made from various grape blends, Brunello is a single varietal wine, which means it's made from grapes of the same variety throughout the entire production process. This strict adherence to the traditional method of production gives Brunello its distinctive character and quality.
What makes Brunello special?
Brunello stands out among Italian wines for its intense, complex flavor profile and aging potential. The wine typically exhibits aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, earthy notes, and subtle hints of vanilla and oak from ageing in wooden barrels.
The region's specific terroir, which includes well-draining gravel and sandy soils, contributes significantly to its distinctive character. Additionally, Brunello is known for its longevity, often improving in the bottle for decades when stored properly.
How should Brunello be served?
Brunello pairs exceptionally well with rich meat dishes like grilled steak, roasted game, and hearty stews. It's also suitable for pairing with well-aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino.
When serving, allow the wine to breathe for 30 minutes to an hour to release its full aromas. It should be served at around 18-20°C (64-68°F) for maximum enjoyment.
Is Brunello expensive?
Brunello can range from moderately priced to quite expensive, depending on the producer and age of the wine. Young Brunellos typically cost between $30-60 per bottle, while older vintages or those from prestigious producers can cost several hundred dollars.
The premium pricing reflects the lengthy aging process required for true Brunello, typically three years in oak barrels and four years in bottle before release. While some producers release younger versions, authentic Brunello undergoes this significant maturation period.
What regions produce Brunello?
Brunello di Montalcino is the only DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) production area for Brunello wine, located in the Montalcino commune of southern Tuscany. This 1,600-hectare zone produces about 1 million bottles annually.
While other Italian regions may produce similar wines, only those from Montalcino can be labeled as "Brunello di Montalcino. " The region's protected status ensures a consistent quality standard for the wine.
How long does Brunello last?
When properly stored, Brunello can maintain its quality for 15-20 years after bottling, though top vintage years may age for 30 years or more. The wine's complexity and structure hold up better than many other red wines over time.
Most producers recommend drinking young Brunello within five to ten years of release for optimal enjoyment, though this can vary by vintage and producer style. Always check the producer's recommendations for specific bottles.
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