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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

WS  94   
VN  93   
RP  92   

1998 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

WA  92   
WS  91   

2007 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

WA  96   
WS  95   

2007 Valdicava Madonna del Piano Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork

WA  96   
WS  95   

1999 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto

Light capsule condition issue

WS  95   
WA  93   
ST  92   

2001 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova

WS  97   
JS  97   
VN  96   
WA  92   
WE  91   
WS  #1 of 2006   

2008 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino

WA  93   
WS  91   
VN  90   
JR  17   

2012 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino

WA  95+    
VN  93+    
JS  93   
WS  92   

2012 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino

Light label condition issue

WA  95+    
VN  93+    
JS  93   
WS  92   

1999 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

WA  95   
WS  95   

1997 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Pianrosso

WS  97   
RP  96   
ST  95   
WS  #21 of 2002   

1997 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Pianrosso

1.5ltr

WS  97   
RP  96   
ST  95   
WS  #21 of 2002   

2012 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

WS  96   
WA  93   
JS  93   
VN  91   
WS  #11 of 2017   

2001 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli

3-bottle Lot

Light label condition issue

WS  96   

2001 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli

3-bottle Lot

See item details for bottle notes

WS  96   

1999 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

WS  92   
WE  90   

1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1.5ltr

Light capsule condition issue; lightly elevated cork; light signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1.5ltr

Light signs of past seepage; very top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; light label condition issue

1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; lightly depressed cork; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill

1988 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; signs of past seepage; top shoulder fill; label condition issue

1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

Lightly elevated cork

VN  97   
WS  94   
WS  #3 of 2002   

1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

Light label condition issue

VN  97   
WS  94   
WS  #3 of 2002   

1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino

Base neck fill

VN  97   
WS  94   
WS  #3 of 2002