Sign In

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino is entirely Sangiovese. Montalcino itself is a picturesque, hill-top town not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine. Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.

1997 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

Light label condition issue

WS  94   
VN  93   
RP  92   

2007 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

JS  98   
WA  95   
WS  91   
ST  90+    

2010 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

JS  99   
WS  96   
VN  94   

2010 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

JS  99   
WS  96   
VN  94   

2001 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Light label condition issue

WS  100   
WA  96   
JR  17.5   
WS  #13 of 2007   

2001 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

WS  100   
WA  96   
JR  17.5   
WS  #13 of 2007   

2006 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

1.5ltr

JS  100   
WE  98   
WA  96   

2007 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

1.5ltr

WA  96   
WS  95   

2003 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

Light label condition issue

WA  92   
WS  92   
JR  17   

2012 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

WA  96   
JS  95   
WS  94   
VN  91+    

2013 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

JS  98   
WA  97   
WS  96   
VN  95+    

2013 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova (20th Anniversary Gold Label)

Light label condition issue

JS  98   
WA  97   
WS  96   
VN  95+    

2013 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova (20th Anniversary Gold Label)

JS  98   
WA  97   
WS  96   
VN  95+    

2013 Biondi-Santi Tenuta Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino

WE  98   
WA  96+    
WS  92   
VN  92+    
JR  17.5   

2016 Biondi-Santi Tenuta Il Greppo Brunello di Montalcino

WA  97+    
WS  97   

1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura

Signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill

WS  96   
VN  95   

1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura

Light capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill

WS  96   
VN  95   

1997 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Pianrosso

Base neck fill

WS  97   
RP  96   
ST  95   
WS  #21 of 2002   

1999 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Pianrosso

Light label condition issue

WA  93   
WS  91   

1999 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Pianrosso

Capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

WA  93   
WS  91   

2010 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

Light label condition issue

WA  93   
WS  93   
VN  92   

2016 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli

Light label condition issue

WS  97   
JS  97   
JD  97   
WA  96   
VN  96   
JR  17.5   

2010 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino

Light label condition issue

VN  95   
WA  94+    
WS  94   
JS  94   

2010 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino

VN  95   
WA  94+    
WS  94   
JS  94   

1989 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino dei Cottimelli

Light capsule condition issue; base neck fill or better; light label condition issue