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Poggio di Sotto hits it out the ballpark once again with an extremely elegant interpretation that shows the incredible depth and nuance Sangiovese can achieve, even in an uneven vintage such as this. The certified organic 2018 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a dark ruby hue and mid-weight concentration. Indeed, the wine is lighter and brighter than most, despite Brunello’s mandatory five years of aging before its commercial release. The tannins are silky and melt over the palate. Along the way, the wine offers high notes of red cherry, cassis and blue flower. This 38,000-bottle release carries a very high price tag, but your high expectations will be met.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RPBeautifully detailed, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino delivers pure layers of ripe cherry, raspberry, incense, stony earth, roses, and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied and silky in texture, with ultra-fine tannins, it has a gorgeous energy without edges, with a long arch of ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, herbes de Provence, wet stone, and fresh rose petal. It is incredibly long on the palate, and it almost feels as if the wine never ends. This will be a stunning wine to drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDThe Poggio di Sotto estate lies in the beautiful south-eastern zone of the DOCG in Castelnuovo dell’Abate facing towards Mont Amiata, a sacred mountain to the Etruscans. This 2018 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino has a beautifully precise and bright, spicy, red fruit quality on the nose. On the palate it is tightly wrought and a little closed and reserved right now. It is medium-bodied and lighter in concentration than usual but nothing feels heavy, over extracted or forced about this wine. There is a graceful harmony on the palate although the vintage was cooler and more classic. Poggio di Sotto have made a fresh, lively wine that has beautiful balance and flow.The Wine Independent | 96 TWIIn southern Montalcino, near the town of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, Poggio di Sotto captures the lightness of the vintage with aplomb, and long maturation in 30hl Slavonian oak casks has not compromised its vitality. With pretty and precise aromas of cherry and raspberry it’s redolent of summer, yet fragrant wet leaves and woodsy rosehip speak of autumn. The palate is finessed and fluid, moving with grace. Chalky tannins cling discreetly yet persistently. An underlying luscious ripeness is positively moreish.Decanter | 95 DECThe 2018 Brunello di Montalcino captivates, opening slowly with an exotic array of sweet spices, cedar shavings, ashen stone, mint and hints of sage. It’s luxuriously soft in texture, silky and refined, with depths of balsamic-tinged cherries accelerated by vibrant acidity and a hint of sour citrus that adds contrast. This finishes with impressive structure for the vintage, still lively yet classically dry, leaving nuances of tart berries offset by a burst of inner sweetness that punctuates quite well. This was a very difficult vintage with a massive amount of rain in August that made vineyard work very difficult, but also extremely important. That said, the team at Poggio did a fantastic job finding balance. Do make sure to give the 2018 a good amount of time, as I followed this for three days, through which it only got better and better.Vinous Media | 94 VMAttractive nose of salted plums, sour cherries, dried roses and rosemary stems. Firm yet sleek with a medium to full body and layers of fresh fruit with delicious herb undertones. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 93 JS

This is so complex, with lifting citrus and herb undertones to the blue and red berry fruit. Thyme, sage and lavender, with mocha and clove, too. Full-bodied, full of depth and intensity, with firm yet seamless tannins. Evolves to espresso. Balanced, powerful and very long. Try after 2025.James Suckling | 97 JSA special single-vineyard wine with origins in one of the more remote, wild and beautiful corners of Montalcino, this is one of the true treats of the appellation. The Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso opens to a medium-rich appearance and vibrant color saturation. Sangiovese can lose its color quickly, but it remains beautifully intact here. Sweet cherry, redcurrant, spice, blue flower, balsam herb and orange peel are neatly woven together to create this balanced wine. Fruit is sourced from across a 11.7-hectare vineyard with schistous galestro soils. Production is 37,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPDark depths of crushed plums and black cherries are offset by notes of rosemary, spiced citrus peels and hints of cocoa as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso opens in the glass. This is an especially racy style for Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, with cooling mineral tones and zesty acidity propelling its ripe berry fruit and hints of sour citrus across the palate. While structured, this finishes with tremendous energy and freshness, leaving the mouth watering with a lingering bitter hint of balsamic spice. The 2018 may not possess the power often associated with the Pianrosso, but it instead impresses with its lively and spicy character.Vinous Media | 94 VMA complex red, with dark, savory notes of licorice, eucalyptus and tobacco aligned with cherry and berry flavors. Succulent, showing light viscosity to the texture, with wild herb and iron elements creeping in on the long finish. Power meets grace. Best from 2026 through 2045. 3,083 cases made, 1,083 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WSBoth of Ciacci Piccolomini’s 2018s offer a ‘deliciousness’ of taste and a truly umami quality, however the Pianrosso selection delivers greater Brunello satisfaction. Not quite 12 hectares, this iron-rich marly vineyard soaked up just enough warmth to clearly demonstrate its southern origins. It has more shape, form and depth to lend endurance. Iron and salty minerals emerge from a backdrop of persimmon and hibiscus, finishing with Mediterranean herbs. Docile and yielding, the gentle sandy tannins give textural complexity as well as an immediate drinkability.Decanter | 92 DEC

The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Argenina is a total knock-out. Bright, aromatic and silky, the 2018 is pure class. Crushed flowers, mint, spice, licorice, tobacco and incense are some of the notes that grace this exquisite Chianti Classico. When I taste the best wines here, I often wonder why more producers aren’t capable of this level of quality. Stellar.Vinous Media | 93 VMPreviously bottled as an annata, Palazzino’s Argenina has now been elevated to Gran Selezione, meaning the estate’s entire Chianti Classico production now falls into this category. It comes from a vineyard in the southern reaches of Gaiole on limestone-rich, fluvial terraces. An autumnal whiff of chestnut is followed by fetching heather and cinnamon stick. Elegant and fine framed, it presents as midweight and linear at first, then fleshes out across the palate. Tangy acidity persists throughout, and there’s a subtle yet confident grip of tannins on the finish.Decanter | 93 DECThe 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Argenina is herbaceous with pine, damp soil, and dried cherry. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins, a soft stony texture, and notes of plum pit and tea leaf., it is a pleasantly savory wine to drink over the next 5-7 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JD

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino offers a full and generous personality with layers of dark fruit, cola, rosemary and balsam herb. This is a medium to full-bodied Sangiovese with lots of ripe fruit, soft tannins and rich texture. Like many of the Brunellos from this vintage, this wine offers an accessible side that makes it easy to drink without waiting too much longer. Production is 40,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPA darkly floral bouquet of musky red currants and hints of savory spice wafts up from the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s silky and pliant, with herbal-tinged red and black fruits that flow across a core of saline-minerality. The 2018 finishes long and staining to the senses, with a web of fine tannins offset by hints of citrus-tinged blackberry. There’s an underlying power here seldom seen in the 2018 vintage, but patience will be required.Vinous Media | 93 VMThe 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is modest and elegantly styled, with raspberry liqueur, fresh herbs, and rose hip. Medium-bodied and driven by orange citrus pith, strawberry, cloves, and dusty tannins, it is a finessed and cooling example from the vintage. Drink 2024-2036.Jeb Dunnuck | 92+ JDPorcini mushrooms, cherry stones, iodine and some beetroot here. Savory and chewy, with a medium body and firm tannins. A little tight and austere at the finish. Should soften. Try in 2023.James Suckling | 92 JS

A beautiful, pure syrah with dark-cherry and lavender aromas that follow through to a full body with round, polished tannins that are tight and compact. Flavorful and racy finish. Black-licorice and tar flavors. Slightly chewy at the end. Drink after 2023.James Suckling | 94 JSRich dark fruits, spiced cookie, smoky plums and black cherries define the 2018 Syrah Bramasole. This is cool-toned, pliant and pleasantly sweet, with a fresh display of inner violets, minerals and bright acids that keep the mouth watering. Nuanced tannins and sweet spice linger as this high-energy Cortona Syrah tapers off with blue and purple-toned florals. The 2018 Bramasole is stunning and so easy to like.Vinous Media | 93 VM

Aromas of minerals, crushed stones and cherries. Pine needles, too. Floral. Full-to medium-bodied with a tight, linear palate and super fine tannins. Extremely deep. Fresh. Light saltiness. Give this three or four years to open.James Suckling | 97 JSLinear and compact, offering a core of cherry and strawberry singed by iron, tobacco and oak spice flavors. There’s intensity to this, combined with a firm structure and balanced in a tightly wound package, showing excellent length. Best from 2024 through 2035. 500 cases made, 50 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WSThe 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Roncicone emerges from a parcel on marine soils that naturally yield a bright, taut expression of Sangiovese. Sweet red berry fruit, flowers, chalk, mint and blood orange bring out the more lifted, red-toned expression of Sangiovese. The Roncicone is another very pretty wine in this range from Brolio.Antonio Galloni | 91 AGAromas of mature dark-skinned fruit, mocha and toasted oak emerge from the glass. The ripe palate offers baked plum, licorice and roasted coffee bean alongside close-grained tannins. Drink 2023–2030. Kerin O’KeefeWine Enthusiast | 91 WE

Perfumed and fresh with cherries, cedar and hints of dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a long, direct finish. Really lively and fresh. Very typical for a top Chianti Classico. Drink now.James Suckling | 93 JSThe 2018 Chianti Classico Berardenga is endowed with so much class. In 2018, the Classico is a bit more restrained than it can be. That mid-weight sense of structure, though, gives the wine quite a bit of early appeal. Even so, I would cellar the 2018 for a few years, as all the elements haven’t fully come together just yet. Dark cherry, game, smoke, licorice and earthy notes are a reminder we are in Castelnuovo Berardenga, even if the 2018 has less weight and overt power than Fèlsina fans are used to seeing.Antonio Galloni | 92 AGNew leather, camphor and blue flower are some of the aromas you’ll find on this bright, fragrant red. On the medium-bodied palate, vibrant acidity and taut tannins surround cassis, Marasca cherry and tobacco notes. Drink 2022–2028.Wine Enthusiast | 92 WEThe Fèlsina 2018 Chianti Classico Berardenga is a toned and delicate expression of 100% Sangiovese from a vintage that produced beautifully subtle and understated wines. It shows good momentum driven by dark fruit, blackberry and summer cherry. The intensity of these aromas is downplayed and rendered less pronounced, adding elegance and fragility. Pretty background notes of spice and balsam herb add an extra layer of complexity. An ample 280,000 bottles were produced.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RPIn Chianti Classico’s southeastern corner of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fèlsina’s south-facing Rancia vineyard evokes a dusty, dry, sunbaked landscape. As always, it is aged in new French oak barriques but at this stage the wood comes across as more pronounced than usual. A jumble of macerated cherry, roasted coffee and grilled Mediterranean herbs gushes from the glass. On the palate, concentrated currants are swathed in dry, powdery tannins. There’s a sour-cherry tug, and slightly bitter finish. I recommend waiting a couple of years to let it sort itself out. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2028.Decanter | 90 DEC

The 2018 Il Caberlot is a stunning wine. It’s not the most immediate nor explosive Caberlot, but it is such a tremendous example of this wine. The bouquet alone is mesmerizing. Crushed herbs, rose petal, mint, blood orange, incense and sweet pipe tobacco all build in the glass. Imagine Cheval Blanc, but with a good dose of Tuscan sun. Readers who can find the 2018 should not hesitate, as it is magical. I imagine it will be even better in the commercial magnums than this 750ml tasting sample.Antonio Galloni | 100 AG(Il Caberlot “Trentesimo”- Podere Il Carnasciale) The 2018 is the thirtieth vintage of Il Caberlot ever produced by Podere Il Carnasciale, so the Rogosky family has naturally noted this on the label with the “Trentesimo” moniker to mark the occasion. I have to also note my satisfaction at receiving a sample of this wine in a regular-sized bottle (remember that Il Caberlot is only commercialized in magnums), with the label dutifully reporting it as a “demi-magnum”. The wine is an absolute classic in the making, offering up a pure and complex nose of cassis, dark berries, a touch of Tuscan herb tones, Cuban cigar wrapper, a beautiful base of soil tones and a deft framing of cedary new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, refined and full-bodied, with a fine core of black fruit, lovely soil inflection, ripe, buried tannins and a long, superbly balanced and seamless finish. I love the sense of grace here, as the wine comes in at 13.5 percent octane and shows a beautiful synthesis of perfectly ripe fruit and classical aesthetic sensibilities. What a wine to mark the thirtieth anniversary vintage of Il Caberlot! (Drink between 2032-2080)John Gilman | 96 JGCompelling aromas of truffle, violet, raspberry and cherry draw you in, while the supple texture and vibrant structure hold your attention. Balanced and open, this red is appealing from beginning to end. Caberlot. Drink now through 2029. 800 cases made, 120 cases imported. Wine Spectator | 94 WSImpressive aromas of sage, mint and currants follow through to a full body with round, fine tannins that are nicely integrated into the wine. Fresh and vivid finish. Very balanced and attractive. Drink in 2023 and onwards, but already very attractive.James Suckling | 94 JS

Vibrant and delicious, this textbook Rosso has enticing aromas of woodland berry, rose, tobacco and a whiff of eucalyptus. On the smooth, savory palate, polished tannins and bright acidity accompany succulent wild cherry, raspberry compote and licorice. Drink through 2023.Wine Enthusiast | 92 WEIn the southern part of the appellation, close to the Orcia river and benefitting from its influence, this estate produces a great Rosso, exquisitely true to its terroir. The relatively cool 2018 vintage in this warmer subzone of Montalcino has amplified the fruity character and the supple style of Rossofonte, without losing complexity. Alluring floral notes of roses and macerated violets are joined by liquorice freshness and a touch of smoky woodland. The palate is focused on cherry and raspberry fruit, with good tension balancing the supple fruit with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity. Slightly chalky on the finish, it is otherwise a clear example of generous Rosso drinkability. Drinking Window 2021 - 2025.Decanter | 91 DECThe 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte is dark and youthfully brooding in the glass. With coaxing, a mix of black cherries dusted in exotic brown spices, hints of tobacco and violets comes forward. This is silky and polished, with textural waves of ripe red fruit laced with licorice and salty minerals giving way to a collection of fine tannins toward the close. There’s plenty of structure here for medium-term cellaring. The 2016 will require another year or two to come fully into focus, as this tapers off to notes of blackberry and plum, yet with a slightly monolithic feel.Vinous Media | 90 VM

The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino lifts up with a dark and layered bouquet of dusty roses and smoky minerals, giving way to blackberry, plum and exotic spice. It’s silky and pliant in feel, with depths of ripe red and black fruits offset by cooling mineral tones, while turning more savory and floral toward the close. Round tannins coat the senses under a display of violet florals and lavender. This is a Rosso that dreams of being a Brunello; cellar it for another year or two, and reap the rewards.Vinous Media | 93 VM

Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and ground clove alongside firm but refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized while a saline mineral note adds depth to the finish. Drink 2026–2038. Kerin O’Keefe | 97 KORoasted herbs, walnuts, olives, dried cherries and balsamic on the nose with a touch of leather and sage. It’s full-bodied with firm, finely-knit tannins. Creamy and so well integrated with depth and class. Try after 2024.James Suckling | 95 JSThis 2018 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone in the southeast of the appellation produces wines that combine power and elegance. The 2018 is medium ruby colored with plenty of sweet oak-spice and bright, red cherry fruit here and there. There’s lots of charm on the palate and it is a wine that is very gracefully melded together. There is a beautifully refined quality to the tannins. The finish is lingering, creamy and elegant. This wine has so much charm and drinkability. It is not huge wine but it accurately reflects the vintage and it is very appealing.The Wine Independent | 95 TWIThe 2018 Brunello di Montalcino turns out beautiful results if you choose to drink the wine now, or if you opt to age it a little longer. It offers immediate intensity and complexity with a prelude of red and purple berry fruits that follow to tarry spice, campfire ash, licorice and rusty nail. Those savoy tones are well measured against the wine’s elegant, mid-weight finish. And the tannins are integrated seamlessly. The winemaking team has worked well in a challenging vintage. This is a large production of 80,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPDense and brooding, revealing plum, cherry, earth, menthol and tobacco flavors. On the austere side today, with buried fruit and dominant tannins, yet this has fine equilibrium and extended length. Best from 2026 through 2043. 4,833 cases made, 2,383 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WSSweet cherry, vanilla bean and orange zest are on the nose, which slowly opens to reveal quieter aromas of cured meat and graphite. The palate emphasizes the savory with more sanguine notes pointed up by crisp fruit flavors of red apple skin and Bing cherry, emphasized by well-articulated tannins. Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEThe 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and brooding, taking its time to blow off a whiff of mocha before opening up with a mix of dried red fruits, cloves and rosemary. This is surprisingly pure and lifted in style while maintaining elegance, as ripe red and black fruits cascade across a core of vibrant acidity. The 2018 leaves the palate buzzing with residual tension, as fine-grained tannins penetrate deeply, and hints of tart wild berry and a dusting of cocoa slowly fade.Vinous Media | 92 VM

The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is a spice box of a wine, opening with a burst of camphor and dried flowers, giving way to crushed blackberries, sage and cloves. This is surprisingly energetic and racy in style. Vibrant acidity propels depths of dark red fruits and inner floral as salty minerals saturate. The 2019 finishes structured and long yet still lively, leaving violet inner florals and hints of currant to taper off slowly. The combination of power, depth and energy makes this impossible to ignore.Vinous Media | 95 VMTo the northwest of the town of Montalcino, Pertimali’s 12 hectares extend over a single block, surrounding the Montosoli hill. Despite a relatively cool microclimate, the limestone-rich clay and estate’s old clones yield a vigorous, muscular Brunello. Picked at the beginning of October, the intensely savoury 2019 wafts with iron, sage and bay leaf. The ripe brawny palate is packed with dry, assertive tannins backed up by sweet black cherry and spiced currants. Acidity is brisk. A rustic rather than elegant offering. Ageing is in Slavonian oak casks of 30 hectolitres.Decanter | 90 DEC

In my mind, this is the wine that best represents the Casanova di Neri house style. With 30 months of aging in tonneaux, it shows enormous richness and texture, and the stellar fruit quality appears with more primary elegance compared to the more expensive Cerretalto that is released with an extra year of aging. That dynamic is especially pronounced in a comparison of the 2019 and 2018 vintages. The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova has a dark vein of toasted spice, black fruit, ink, blackberry compote, licorice and star anise. Dark as night, it is exceptionally well crafted with a robust delivery of concentrated fruit and solid tannic structure. You can count on excellent cellar potential, or at a minimum, serve it with a classic steak. Production is exactly 69,696 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPBlack cherries with violets and other flowers on the nose. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Needs time to soften. Give it three to five years of bottle age. Better after 2025.James Suckling | 96 JS

The gorgeous 2019 Brunello from Gianni Brunelli pulls you in, with its quintessential Brunello fragrance composed of underbrush, woodland berry, botanical herb and wild rose. Savory and all about finesse, the delicious palate shows elegant restraint and energy, delivering juicy red cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and crushed mint alongside polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. Hats off to Laura Brunelli, this is an absolutely enthralling wine. Drink 2027–2039. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 99 KOJust below Biondi-Santi in southeast Montalcino, this is one of the most classic estates of the denomination. The 2019 has a deep nose of amazing fruit ranging from cherry to strawberry, soaked with fresh violet, liquorice and vibrant minerality. It’s loaded with racy acidity and firm, velvety, super-ripe tannins; lavish and polished. The wine is aged for 29 months in Slavonian oak, of which a third is renewed every year.Decanter | 98 DECThis wine offers lifted fruit with popping cherry, blackcurrant and sour crab apple. This level of fruit brightness is not easy to maintain in a wine that ages for five years before its commercial release. The folks at Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto do a fine job. The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino delivers balanced oak renderings with exotic spice and dried chili flake. The wine has a beautiful nose, but the palate definitely needs more time to flesh out and relax, considering the current tightness of the tannins. With 14,230 bottles made, it promises a long drinking window.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPHauntingly dark yet inviting, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up with a beguiling blend of grilled herbs and ashen stone lifted by white smoke that finally gives way to dried black cherries and cola. Sexy and suave, it floods the palate with velvety textures and supple ripe fruits, expertly balanced by a core of brisk acidity and salty mineral tones. Fine-grained tannins, along with a pleasantly bitter tinge, appear through the finale as the 2019 finishes long and full of tension, leaving the slightest trace of orange. The balance of richness and racy character within makes this a total standout.Vinous Media | 95 VMBerry, spice and hints of cedar in the nose. White pepper, too. Orange peel. Rose petal. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit but reserved and formed. Round and juicy tannins that show plenty of richness, but not over the top. A little tight at the end but shows promise. Drink after 2026.James Suckling | 95 JS

Tightly wound and dense, this red features pure flavors of black currant and blackberry that show accents of iron, cedar and oak spices, with tannins flexing their presence on the long finish. Energetic and fresh, with a lasting impression of sweet, ripe fruit. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2045. 1,666 cases made, 250 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 96 WSThis has a subtle and exotic wasabi-like piquancy and freshness to the olives, cassis and currant leaves. Rich, flavorful and pretty full-bodied on the palate with firm, polished tannins and bright acidity helping to chip away the heaviness here. Really vivid and mouthwatering finish with a lengthy closure. Bravo! Drink or hold.James Suckling | 95 JS

Lots of bark, forest flowers, black cherries, blackberries and baking spices in the nose. Full-bodied with layers of gorgeous tannins that coat the mouth and give an enticing silky texture that is irresistible. Juicy finish. From organically grown grapes. So beautifully already, but even better in two or three years and beyond.James Suckling | 97 JSThe compelling San Polino 2019 Helichrysum shows even more depth than the straight Brunello and more complex aromas including new leather, blue flower, cured meat, cedar, wild herb, exotic brown spice and hazelnut. Made from the estate’s highest vineyards, it’s focused and full-bodied, featuring dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and saline mineral notes. Firm, tightly-woven tannins provide the backbone while bright acidity provides energy and balance. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 97 KOA cooling, mentholated freshness introduces the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum as black cherry, clove and dusty rose aromas evolve in the glass. This is a model of both purity and elegance, with textures of pure silk and depths of ripe wild berry fruits that are carried by a wave of vibrant acidity. The 2019 finishes incredibly long, structured and classically dry, yet still fresh, leaving a saturation of red plum and licorice under an inner floral air. The depth and concentration here are off the charts, as the Helichrysum holds its power in reserve. Be patient with this one. In a word, fantastic.Vinous Media | 94+ VM

Aromas of cherries, cacao and dried flowers follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh and savory finish. Better in a year or two.James Suckling | 93 JS

A really focused and rounded Brunello with lovely velvety tannins that give this length and grandeur. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a lovely intensity and texture. Lasts for minutes. A beautiful young Brunello. Better than the excellent 2016. Drink after 2026.James Suckling | 96 JSA youthful red/ruby color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Poggiotondo is ripe and expressive with aromas of cherry pie, baking spices, cedar, and mossy earth. Medium to full-bodied, it builds in structure, with ripe tannins, fresh acidity, and a mouthwatering finish. It’s a charming wine with grippy structure to drink over the next 4-5 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 90 JDNew leather, underbrush and eucalyptus aromas form the nose along with whiffs of lavender. Firm and linear, the palate features dried cherry, orange zest, licorice and mocha alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 90 KO

Darkly alluring and spicy, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino emanates from the glass with an earthy blend of crushed rocks, savory herbs, spiced blood orange and dried cherries. This soothes the palate with its soft textures and depths of wild berry fruit. Brisk acidity and mineral tones add lift but also depth. The 2019 finishes dramatically long and structured, turning youthfully inward on itself as orange and rosy inner florals resonate. The house style is on full display here, elevated by the radiant fruits of the 2019 vintage.Vinous Media | 95 VMThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens to dried cassis and cranberry, and there is a hint of something floral and fragile, like crushed red rose petals or potpourri. However, the wine also shows growing momentum, especially as it opens in the glass and you start to recognize dark spice, clove, bay leaf and thyme. There is a point of sweetness on the mid-palate, even some dried raspberry, rendering an overall more accessible wine. Compared to the brilliant fruit in the Filo di Seta, this village wine has drier notes with hints of daisy greens and dried currant.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPPolished and refined wine with aromas of wild strawberries, dark cherries and violets.Rich and full-bodied with balanced, soft acidity. Firm and fine-grained tannins. Energetic. Better after 2027.James Suckling | 93 JS

The Castello Romitorio 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta reaches a whole other level of intensity and brilliance with dark fruit, blackberry, an etched mineral quality, petrichor and wet slate that gives this wine an incredibly etched and lively presentation. The tannins are velvety and perfectly match the generous texture of this beautiful Sangiovese. Only later, you start to notice the delicate tones of purple flower and iris root that give this wine such an elegant finish. This is a cellar keeper. There are 9,000 bottles of this wine.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta tempts the imagination with a burst of mentholated herbs that give way to sweet violet florals, crushed blackberries and mint. This is deeply textural, nearly creamy in feel, with a core of vibrant acidity to balance as a wave of ripe red and traces of blue fruit flood the palate. Its minerality comes through the finish, mingling with edgy tannins, tart cranberry and orange, yet the mouth is left watering for more. This truly seductive rendition of Filo di Seta will surely win many hearts. While more accessible out of the gate, in the context of how austere it can often be, the balance here guarantees a long and beautiful evolution over time.Vinous Media | 96+ VMBlack cherries, plums and floral notes with subtle, underlying citrus character. Full-bodied and structured. Chewy yet fine-grained tannins. Healthy and vibrant. Persistent length and depth. Give it more time to soften. Better after 2028.James Suckling | 94 JS

Cherry, flower and cedar aromas follow through to a full body with lots of pure and juicy fruit character. Creamy and savory with a crushed bean and cherry aftertaste. Defining today’s Brunello with purity and perfection of fruit. Making the most of an outstanding vintage. A selection from a seven-hectare parcel of 50-year-old vines. Drink after 2026.James Suckling | 100 JSWow, this wine steals the show. A new addition to the Casanova di Neri portfolio now in its second year, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Giovanni Neri pays tribute to Giacomo Neri’s father and represents a stylistic shift to the most elegant side of Montalcino. The wine reveals a very nuanced bouquet with toasted cherry pit, Luxardo syrup and balsam herb. There is dark slate and stony mineral that dovetail into a very clean and pretty earthiness. The tannins are slightly sweeter compared to other wines from this vintage, and there are fragrant tones of heritage rose and lilac. The ratio between tannin and fruit is excellent, and I can see this wine aging long into the future. Production is 9,600 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RP

So floral and fresh with rose stem, sandalwood and orange blossom. Cherries, too. Full-bodied yet reserved and held back with creamy fine tannins and a beautiful finish. Shows brightness and finesse. Silky texture. One of the best I have had from here. A Brunello that emphasizes purity of fruit. Give this three to four years more. Try after 2026.James Suckling | 98 JSThe Cerbaia 2019 Brunello is utterly delicious. It opens with heady aromas of blue flower, wild herb and camphor but really opens up on the smooth, savory palate, delivering juicy black cherry, blackberry, blood orange, truffle and tobacco alongside tightly woven, velvety tannins. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is earthy and savory in the best possible way with an almost rustic, yet not quite, blend of old cedar spice box and dried roses elevated by orange zest and bright cherries. This is wonderfully pure and silky, with a measured inner sweetness and masses of ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout. Juicy acidity maintains a lovely energy as the 2019 finishes long and staining. Fine-grained tannins saturate, and a resonance of tart cranberry puckers the cheeks. This energetic and sleek Brunello from Cerbaia will require minimal cellaring to show its best.Vinous Media | 92 VM

Made with organically farmed grapes, the Collosorbo 2019 Brunello has inviting aromas of plum, new leather, lavender and Mediterranean scrub. On the concentrated, velvety palate, tightly knit, close-grained tannins envelop black cherry extract, liquor soaked prune, licorice and tobacco before a mocha finish. It’s delicious but also rather one-dimensional. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KOThe 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a bouquet that blends savory herbs and worn leather with crushed wild berries. It’s softly textured and round, with a pretty inner sweetness and juicy red fruits cascading under rosy inner florals. The 2019 tapers off long and gently tannic, as a bump of residual acidity maintains an energetic feel.Vinous Media | 92 VM

A mentholated freshness introduces the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino, as a vibrant wave of crushed cherries, mint leaf, clove and dusty roses make up its absolutely gorgeous bouquet. This is silky and enveloping yet lifted and full of energy, with crunchy red berry fruits that leave a crackle of primary concentration toward the close. It finishes pretty saline and spicy in character, leaving edgy tannins to mingle with a residual bump of acidity that maintains a wonderfully fresh sensation as tart cranberry notes fade. This is one of the most exciting young renditions of Voliero I have ever tasted. It captivates with its precision and spry personality while holding depths of complexity in reserve. Wow.Vinous Media | 96 VMThe Voliero 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has ripe cherry fruit and blackberry, with soft and ripe layering throughout. This wine shows the rich and plump side of 2019, a vintage that offers more concentration than average. Dark fruit flavors cede to spice, earth and toasted chestnut husk. This wine shows solid, chalky tannins. Some 7,600 bottles (and larger formats) were made, and they’re almost ready straight out of the gate.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPAromas of dried fruits, figs and tobacco leaves with an underlying nutty note. Refreshing acidity. Medium to full-bodied. Savory yet succulent finish. Better after 2026.James Suckling | 93 JS

Offering dark fruit and an articulate bouquet with elements of ripeness and balsamic herb, the Fanti 2019 Brunello di Montalcino releases its aromas in swells of licorice, dark plum, cured tobacco and sweet potting soil. In terms of palate, this Brunello delivers much of its intensity in an upfront manner with a blast of ripe fruit that fades quietly over the mid-palate. The tannins are softly integrated. This wine, with a production of 49,000 bottles, will be almost ready to drink after its release in January 2024.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPA firm and silky Brunello with some berry, cherry and cedar character, as well as meat. It’s medium-bodied and rather tight, but shows some polish. Better after 2026.James Suckling | 93 JSAromas of exotic brown spice, violet, new leather and eucalyptus form the nose Fanti’s 2019 Brunello. Intense and full-bodied, the palate delivers raspberry compote, mature cherry, cake spice and a hint of espresso. Tightly woven, close-grained tannins provide velvety support. Drink 2017–2034. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 93 KOBalsam herbs and dark chocolate aromas give way to dried black cherries and pine shavings as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pulls the taster close to the glass. This is a sleek and racy effort, with cool-toned acidity and dark red fruits that flow across a silken textural wave. It finishes spicy and long, also remarkably fresh, with edgy tannins that resonate as salted licorice hints slowly taper off. The balance within is stunning, yet don’t let the giving nature of the 2019 fool you; this is a wine for the cellar.Vinous Media | 92 VMLocated near the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, Fanti counts 45 hectares dedicated to Sangiovese, of which just 10 are authorised for Brunello. The estate bottling comes from 20- to 30-year-old vines ranging in altitude from 150 to 450 metres. Aged in a combination of barriques and 30 hectolitre casks, the 2019 is forward and profuse in aromas. Sun-soaked oily herbs and grilled Mediterranean shrub echo the late Tuscan summer. Mint and rosemary repeat on the full-bodied, hearty palate. Tannins are mostly ripe though a slight astringency gives a pleasant tug. More rustic than elegant but this will surely have its fans.Decanter | 91 DEC