Wine Producing Countries

wines

Impeccable protocol between the countryside and the cellar for a fixed point of the typology, played on the freshness and juiciness of the drink. Olfaction that attacks with juniper and redcurrant, lashes of rhubarb and wild fennel. A sip that highlights dense, velvety tannins, puffs of undergrowth.Luca Gardini | 98 LGAromas of sandalwood, dried flowers, black cherries and lavender follow through to a medium body with firm and silky tannins and a firm and crunchy finish. Needs three or four years to soften and come together, but the quality of the fine tannins is very impressive. Best after 2028.James Suckling | 96 JSCrushed ashen stones and dusty sage combine with rose petals and dried black cherries as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Mulino evolves in the glass. It splashes across the palate with mineral-infused wild berry fruits over a wave of soft textures as violet inner florals and cooling lavender tones accumulate toward the close. The 2021 is giving yet refined, leaving a tart blackberry concentration framed by sweet tannins and crisp minerality as hints of licorice fade. This is a more forward vintage for Mulino but with an energy that I find truly seductive.Vinous Media | 95 VM

Aromas of forest floor, ripe woodland berry, cedar and lavender come to the forefront on the beautiful 2021 Brunello from Armilla. Elegantly structured and savory, the vibrant palate offers crushed Morello cherry, wild strawberry, star anise, rosemary and a hint of truffle accompanied by taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2030–2041. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOThe Armilla 2021 Brunello di Montalcino reflects the character of the vintage with good freshness, dark fruit nuances and notes of pressed flowers. It offers solid intensity—measured, but not shy—and moves across the palate with medium fruit weight, concluding with a short, somewhat lean finish. Produced from organically farmed (but not certified) vineyards in the southern part of the appellation, Armilla’s Brunello typically emphasizes purity and approachability over power. This is a lighter, more informal style of Brunello, albeit with a Brunello price tag. Production is 10,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 92 RPThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is darkly floral, with a hint of crushed rocks and dried herbs giving way to subtle strawberry nuances. It is wonderfully fresh and lifted, with a core of brisk acidity and juicy wild berry fruits. Edgy tannins and inner florals resonate as the 2021 tapers off long but lifted.Vinous Media | 92 VMModern style here, with lush plums and black cherries, violets and licorice. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and firm, chalky yet tight tannins. Bitter finish. Try from 2027.James Suckling | 91 JS

A restrained wine with a graceful nose of subtle red cherries, wild strawberries, sweet violets and complex earth and tamarind. Full-bodied with licorice flavors, a dense mid-palate and velvety tannins that are powerful yet ripe. Slightly lifted acidity and a long,chewy finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.James Suckling | 96 JSThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with heavenly perfumes as geraniums, bergamot and rose petals mix with lavender and exotic spice. It is lifted and sleek with cool-toned acidity and tart red and blue fruits flowing beneath an air of violet inner florals. The finish has saturating tension, mixing fine-grained tannins with graphite mineral tones and citrus, while hints of sour cherry pinch at the cheeks.Vinous Media | 94 VMPackaged with a gold label, the Pieve Santa Restituta 2021 Brunello di Montalcino marks the return of a wine I personally have not seen in years. In truth, this wine has been produced since 2005, the year the Gaja family acquired a vineyard in the Torrenieri area in the northern part of the appellation where clay-rich soils with high water retention create powerful wines with softer acidity. Fruit from that vineyard was blended with grapes from the Rennina and Sugarille vineyards. However, this wine has recently seen the inclusion of fruit from two new plots, Bolsignano and Villa a Tolli, that bring acidity freshness and mineral tension. The wine presents a medium- to full-bodied texture with notes of dried fruit, cassis, tarry smoke and savory leather. It is lean on the mid-palate yet long and polished. Tight-edged tannins suggest the need for additional bottle aging, a profile consistent with a traditionally structured Brunello. This is a release of 90,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP

The drop-dead gorgeous Gianni Brunelli stopped me in my tracks with its stunning fragrance of freshly picked violet, iris, forest berry, leather and eucalyptus. All about extreme elegance, the palate is equally captivating, delivering layers of succulent Morello cherry, wild raspberry, blood orange, dark spice and crushed mint. Taut, ultra-refined tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity keeps it vibrant and impeccably balanced. While it’s already incredibly tempting, it also promises years of graceful aging. Hats off to Laura Brunelli and her team. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 100 KOA polished and finely detailed expression, the Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto 2021 Brunello di Montalcino showcases tension and subtle sweetness carried across a taut, silky palate with beautifully textured tannins. Dusty mineral notes add definition and lift, while the overall impression remains ethereal and weightless, a hallmark of the estate’s precision with Sangiovese in this classic vintage. The wine balances finesse and structure with remarkable poise. Production totals 15,715 bottles, including 180 magnums and other larger formats.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RPDried flowers mix with crushed rocks, grilled herbs and spiced orange peels as the darkly alluring 2021 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up from the glass. The wine is polished in feel, silken and serene with a harmonious mix of tantalizing acidity, minerals and ripe red and black fruits. While tannic, the tannins are round and refined, leaving a classically dry sensation as hints of licorice and cedary spice fade.Vinous Media | 95 VMSlightly earthy, almost tarry nose of deep red and dark fruit and hints of chocolate and spices. The palate shows balance and poise, with a medium to full body, very fine tannins and vivid acidity. Smooth and well integrated, with a lingering, lightly savory finish. Better from 2028.James Suckling | 94 JS

Fragrant blue flower, fine tobacco blend, plum and eucalyptus are some of the beguiling aromas you’ll find on the compelling Franco Pacenti 2021 Brunello. The palate is equally captivating and utterly delicious, delivering spiced plum, succulent Marasca cherry, star anise and cake spice before closing on a spiced orange zest note. Tightly-knit, velvety tannins provide support while fresh acidity lends great energy. Drink 2031–2041. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 98 KOA restrained and elegantly spicy wine with aromas of Earl Grey tea, potpourri, red cherries, red currants and stony minerality. Graceful on the palate, with ripe, velvety tannins, crisp and juicy integrated acidity, a full body and a long, savory finish. Best from 2028.James Suckling | 96 JSClassic to the core, the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino mixes crushed black cherries and strawberries with dusty roses, violets and a cascade of autumnal spice to form its gorgeous bouquet. It displays textures of pure silk and polished red berry fruits, all perfectly supported by cooling acidity. A web of fine tannins frames the finish as hints of clove and tart woodland berries fade. The 2021 is remarkably pretty and refined and balanced for the cellar.Vinous Media | 95 VMSince taking over the winemaking helm in 2015, Lorenzo Pacenti has aimed to exalt the fresh character of the Canalicchio zone. He has lowered fermentation temperatures, adopted gentler extraction techniques, shortened macerations and reduced time in wood. The 2021 reveals itself slowly with inklings of tobacco, forest floor and mushroom, and savoury nuances repeat on the midweight palate. Though not large, tannins are quite boisterous and need to settle. Mellowed fruit is enlivened by a jolt of orange and a crisp acid bite.Decanter Magazine | 91 DEC

The 2021 Brunello Helicrhysum is stunning wine with energy, structure and finesse. Made with organically grown grapes, it opens with heady aromas of new leather, lavender, dark spice and dark-skinned fruit. Firmly structured and showing great intensity, the palate delivers succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and dried mint alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. It’s still youthfully austere, with bright acidity. Drink 2023–2046. Abv: 14.5%Kerrin O’Keefe | 98 KOVery perfumed, with sandalwood, dried lavender, strawberries, ripe cherries and cedar on the nose. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit that is nicely framed by broad, integrated tannins that fold in beautifully. Fresh and crisp in the finish. Lovely tension. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in 2027 and beyond.James Suckling | 97 JSSan Polino encourages spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts across the range. To further augment 2021’s vintage character, Helichrysum also sees a two-month period of lees stirring in barriques. For now, the wine is rather closed. Aromas suggest curry leaf, cardamom, dusty herb and iron. Full yet tight, the palate has yet to cede to graciousness – dense, sandy tannins firmly command. But while not easygoing or upfront, this introspective, textural Brunello simmers with immense personality. Needless to say, it will require further bottle age.Decanter Magazine | 95 DECSporting a saturated deep red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Helichrysum offers a layered, spiced aromatic profile of pine needles, dried cherries, licorice, and plum. The palate is medium to full-bodied, supple, and ripe, with generous fruit richness, silky tannins, and balanced acidity that keeps it composed through the finish. It retains enough freshness to offer longevity over the coming decade. Drink 2026-2036.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JD

The organic La Torre 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a fleeting impression of fruit ripeness that quickly gives way to classic Sangiovese complexity marked by grilled herbs, blue flowers and earthy nuance. There is a tactile, skin-driven quality to the palate in this vintage, almost as if tasting the grapes directly at harvest, bringing added crunch, spice and energy. Despite Brunello’s mandatory five years of aging, the wine maintains a vivid sense of freshness, rolling across the palate in a collected and measured manner. Aged in Slavonian oak casks, the tannins are well integrated and supported by just enough acidity to keep the wine moving with precision. Fruit comes from 4.9 hectares of vineyards situated at 420 meters in elevation, helping to preserve balance and a gracefully accessible 13.5% alcohol content. Production is approximately 15,000 bottles, including larger formats.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPDusty sage and rosemary give way to shaved blood orange and nuances of white smoke as the brooding 2021 Brunello di Montalcino dominates the glass. It is dark and rich on the palate, weightier than anticipated, with depths of ripe red and black fruit over a penetrating core of minerality. The senses are left clenched by youthfully aggressive tannins as the 2021 tapers off dramatically long and structured for the cellar.Vinous Media | 93+ VMRed fruit, lavender, cedar and a hint of sweet spices. Medium-bodied, with chewy tannins and tender fruit lifted by fresh acidity. The balance of delicacy and structure makes this particularly appealing. From organically grown grapes. Better from 2028.James Suckling | 93 JS

Castelnuovo dell’Abate area, vineyards up to 25 years old on clay and tuff, sandstone and galestro soil, for a classic of the type. Espigliato attack on the nose, linden and pomegranate, with a strong floral component, of rose hips. The palate shows iodized tannins, closed by fruity memory.Luca Gardini | 98 LGHands down the best wine I’ve had to date from San Giorgio, the 2021 Brunello Ugolforte opens to heady aromas of pine forest, new leather, ripe dark-skinned fruit and dark spice. Full-bodied and enveloping, the delicious palate features baked plum, cherry compote, star anise, cake spice and blood orange alongside velvety, enveloping tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it lifted and balanced. Drink 2031–2039. Abv: %Kerin O’Keefe | 96 KOThe San Giorgio 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte (with 60,000 bottles produced), shows an intentionally accessible personality with dark concentration and sweet blackberry fruit designed for near- to medium-term enjoyment. Aged in large Slavonian oak casks with time in cement, the wine delivers texture and open-knit tannins that give it a cheerful and food-friendly profile. Made by the same team behind Poggio di Sotto, one of Montalcino’s benchmarks for cellar-worthy wines, this bottling favors immediacy without sacrificing balance. The fruit comes from 28 hectares of estate vineyards, reinforcing consistency across the range.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte tempts the senses with a whiff of freshly split pine, giving way to dusty roses, hints of worn leather and dried black cherries. Like pure silk on the palate, it possesses a seamless character and polished red berry fruits that soothe the senses. Sleek and expertly balanced, the 2021 leaves the senses stained in blackberry concentration, enhanced by a tactile mineral tinge. The Brunello of San Giorgio is improving with each passing vintage.Vinous Media | 94+ VMPouring a youthful red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Ugolforte is expressive and forward, with aromas of raspberry liqueur, pressed flowers, rosemary, and pine. The palate is medium-bodied and ripe, with plush tannins, balanced acidity, and an even, seamless finish. Marked by elegance, it’s full but not heavy, with purity and structure that make it a very impressive Brunello to drink over the coming 12-15 years. Drink 2026-2041.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDA ripe version, this red exhibits blackberry, black currant and plum flavors, plus a touch of licorice. Wrapped in a dense matrix of tannins, leaving a tactile sensation on the lingering finish. Iron and eucalyptus notes also chime in. Best from 2030 through 2050. 7,000 cases made, 200 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WSAn excellent Brunello with notes of dried herbs, minerals, grapefruit and raw spices. Medium body with fine-grained tannins and a long, juicy finish. Drink now or hold.James Suckling | 93 JS

Pouring a medium red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is lush and pure on the nose, with cherry liqueur, crushed lavender, polished leather, and sage. The palate is medium to full-bodied and tightly coiled, with vibrant acidity, ripe tannins, and a compact, restrained feel that carries through the long finish. It’s going to benefit from another year or more in bottle to unfurl and should drink beautifully over the coming two decades. Drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JD

The Ca’ Marcanda 2021 Bolgheri Rosso Camarcanda is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in a supporting role. This a bold and beautifully concentrated wine with a brilliant character that is best described as Rubenesque. It shows supple texture and deep richness supported by sweet fruit and raspberry tart. The ripe, well-managed tannins cede to tingling freshness that adds energy and life.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPThe 2021 Camarcanda is a fabulous wine from the Gaja family, the best they have ever made at their Bolgheri property. The wines here have been through some ups and downs, but there seems to be greater focus over these last few years. Silky, aromatic and wonderfully pure, the 2021 Camarcanda offers a super, contemporary expression of Bolgheri with plenty of coastal sunshine and warmth, but nothing excessive. Silky tannins frame the exceptionally polished, nuanced finish. The 2021 is so alluring.Vinous Media | 97 VMPure and elegant, with saturated flavors of violet, black currant, blackberry, licorice and iron. This is so beautifully balanced that it feels almost seamless, even at this young stage, offering a sleek profile and endless aftertaste that echoes the fruit. The oak is very well-integrated, with polished tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2026 through 2045. 2,500 cases made, 333 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 97 WSBottled in July of 2022, the 2021 Ca’ Marcanda has a dark saturated ruby hue and seamless aromatics of graphite, black cherry liqueur, cocoa powder, and forest herbs. Full-bodied on the palate, with great structure, focus and length, and wonderful richness, it’s incredibly even in its balance and has a very long finish. It’s going to need a few years to improve and show its best, but this is a remarkable wine from this stunning vintage. Drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDSince the hot 2015 vintage, Merlot has been omitted from Carmarcanda. It’s a stunning effort in 2021, with fragrant scents of dried cherry, sous bois and minty black fruits, which carry through onto the intense and vibrant palate. There’s a streak of balsamic herbs, and some raspberry and floral notes too. Poised and minty-fresh, this is a stunner.Decanter Magazine | 96 DECA savory and juicy young red with currant, raspberry and boysenberry aromas and flavors that follow through to a medium to full body, with creamy and polished tannins and a pretty finish. There’s a freshness and focus to this. Drink after 2027.James Suckling | 94 JS

The Giacomo Fenocchio 2021 Bussia mesmerizes with its aromas of violet, botanical herb, forest berry, menthol and cake spice. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the utterly delicious palate boasts a great depth of flavors including juicy red cherry, raspberry preserve, cinnamon stick, crushed mint and star anise before a graphite finish, all set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Showing serious aging potential, it has bright acidity that also keeps it well balanced. Drink 2033–2051. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 98 KOFrom one of Barolo’s most revered sites comes a wine of quiet confidence. The limestone rich soils of Bussia create something profound in 2021. Fresh roses and dark cherries float up, then wild strawberries, fresh tobacco, and mountain herbs fill every corner. The structure feels perfectly calibrated, firm yet graceful. This is Barolo finding its future while honoring its past. A wine that makes you lean in closer with each sip. Drink from 2027 Wine Enthusiast | 98 WEThe 2021 Barolo Bussia is an absolute delight. Aromatic, graceful and light on its feet, the 2021 is pure seduction. Pine, mint, cloves, new leather, licorice, wild cherry and sage are some of the many notes that are laced together in this exquisite, haunting Barolo from Claudio Fenocchio.Vinous Media | 94 VMCherry, plum, orange peel, tomato leaf and eucalyptus notes strike a nice balance with the succulent texture and fine-grained tannins in this lean, savory red. Iron and tar accents emerge as this winds down on the mouthwatering finish. Best from 2030 through 2050. 2,100 cases made, 300 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WSMoving to the 2021 Barolo Bussia, it pours a bright transparent red color and offers a pure aromatic profile with notes of cherry candies, preserved orange, amaro-like sweet herbs, and dried earth. The palate is also vibrant and transparent, with a bit more savory iron-richness lurking gently underneath on the finish, framing the otherwise more transparent ripe berried fruit that coaxes through the palate. It has ripe tannins and a bit more richness of texture on the finish that I anticipate will improve over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2026-2038.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDLocated in the heart of Bussia, the Giacomo Fenocchio estate counts 5ha in the Sottana subzone. As with all the MGA bottlings, fermentation is spontaneous with indigenous yeasts, maceration is upwards of 40 days, and ageing is in large Slavonian oak casks. The 2021 has a flamboyant side, leading with roasted coffee, iron, grilled bay leaf and crushed allspice aromas. As animated as the nose is, the palate needs a bit more time to come together, however it is well packed with dense dark cherry and perfumed fennel. The tannins are chalky yet sweet, with a taut snap. I love the saline twist on the finish.Decanter Magazine | 94 DECBlackberries with sweet spices, as well as plums and a touch of cedar. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with polished yet firm tannins that stick to the palate. Lovely, juicy fruit profile. This should evolve nicely, but needs some time. Better from 2026.James Suckling | 94 JS

2021 was an exceptional year in the Langhe as is clearly demonstrated by the gorgeous 2021 Barbaresco from Produttori. It boasts beautiful aromas of violet, rose, cake spice and mint that carry over to the elegant palate along with succulent red cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it impeccably balanced. Made from blending Nebbiolo from different vineyard sites, this is the firm’s classic Barbaresco and is one of the greatest values in Italian fine wine. Drink 2027–2033. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 96 KOThis wine gives us our first taste of the epic 2021 vintage from a producer as prolific as Produttori del Barbaresco. Bottled in April 2024, this vintage shows the immense power and complexity that likens it to 2016, another year for collectors. The 2021 Barbaresco offers medium-rich density that is transmitted both to the wine’s appearance and its mouthfeel. There is black fruit, spice and a touch of nutmeg. However, the wine maintains its youthful tension and energy throughout. The tannins are chalky, fine and void of any bitterness. This is a classical expression of Nebbiolo that gives us good reason to be excited for the upcoming 2021 Barbaresco Riservas.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95+ RPA vibrant, well-defined red, offering rose, cherry, strawberry, white pepper and mineral flavors. Sleek and elegant, this firms up on the linear finish. Balanced and approachable now yet would benefit from a bit more time to knit together. Excellent length. Best from 2027 through 2040. 24,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WSThe 2021 Barbaresco offers more complexity and sports a bit deeper shade of red than the 2021. Layered with aromas of kirsch, darker spice, cardamom, candied flowers, and orange peel, the palate is more structured and compact, with savory notes of salty earth, angular, ripe tannins, and its more citrus-noted acidity shining on the palate. It has more nervous energy and needs more time. Give it another couple years and drink 2027-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDAn intriguing wine with aromas of potpourri, dried cherries and candied orange zest. Smoky and juicy on the palate, with firm, dusty yet ripe tannins, a full body and a long, savory finish. Drinkable now, but it has great potential for the long haul.James Suckling | 94 JSThe 2021 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, deep wine. Although the aromatics are a bit closed, the 2021 shows gorgeous depth and a touch more palate presence than is typically the case for this bottling. Dark and enveloping, the 2021 will offer a number of years of very fine drinking. It is an impressive, classy wine from Produttori del Barbaresco.Vinous Media | 93 VM

The compelling Conti Costanti 2021 Brunello captivates with pronounced aromas of fragrant purple flower, eucalyptus, Mediterranean brush and perfumed berry. All about class and extreme finesse, the elegant palate delivers succulent wild raspberry, crushed Marasca cherry, spiced orange zest and star anise set against a backbone of fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance and great intensity. Year after year Andrea Costanti turns out what are among the very best wines from Montalcino, and the 2021 is no exception, it’s an absolute stunner with great aging potential. Drink 2031–2046. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 99 KOThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is darkly inward in its youthful state, brooding and tense with tobacco, minty herbs, cedary spice, plum and nuances of black cherry. Soft textures wash across the energetic palate as mineral-inflected red berry fruits saturate. Structured and incredibly long, the 2021 leaves the cheeks puckering amidst fine-grained tannins and a contrasting accent of sour citrus.Vinous Media | 95 VM

30 months of oak wood of various sizes for a significant part of Ilcinese history, still heavily on the shields. Nose attack with sensations of Vignola durone, then shades of valdostan mint, mandarin and cinnamon. Very vertical on the palate, with fruity memory.Luca Gardini | 99 LGLavender, dark spice, Mediterranean scrub, perfumed wild berry, pipe tobacco and new leather aromas come to the forefront on the gorgeous Argiano 2021 Brunello. Solidifying their role as one of the denomination’s top producers, this is focused, refined and loaded with intensity, delivering layers of black cherry compote, juniper berry, licorice, cocoa and blood orange accompanied by a backbone of fine-grained, well-integrated tannins. It’s still young but already beautifully balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink 2031–2039. Abv: % Kerin O’Keefe | 97 KOThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and intense, with a smoldering bouquet of ashen stones, grilled herbs and dried black cherries. It is surprisingly energetic and lifted in feel, with racy red berry fruits and rosy inner florals that form a truly satisfying experience. The 2021 is pleasantly chewy and long, leaving a coating of fine-grained tannins and a nuance of tart blackberry.Vinous Media | 94+ VMA jeweled red/ruby color, the 2021 Rosso Di Montalcino needs air, opening with a bit of elevated volatile aromas before revealing notes of cherry candies, pressed roses, and licorice. Medium-bodied, it has ripe tannins and a nice primary profile, with an easygoing nature. It’s going to be a versatile wine for casual drinking over the next few years.Jeb Dunnuck | 91 JD

First bottled in 1978, refined Brunello elevated for 36 months in a mix of medium and large oak barrels. Marjoram, cinnamon and wild sage in olfaction, drink thickly, with brackish tannins, return of the notes of small medicinal plants and persistence.Luca Gardini | 97 LGA medium red hue introduces the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino, which opens with toasted cedar, licorice, red cherries, pressed flowers, rosemary, and polished leather. The palate is medium-bodied and zesty, with pure, ripe red fruit, ripe tannins, and refreshing acidity that keeps it energetic and focused through the finish. It should drink at its best over the next 15-20 years. Drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDAromas of black cherries, orange peel and crushed stones, Medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a flavorful finish. There’s almost a sandy, terra cotta character in the finish. Lovely balance. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 95 JSCamphor, lavender, new leather and forest floor aromas form the nose on the 2021 Brunello from Mastrojanni. The palate shows great intensity, featuring ripe black cherry, raspberry, licorice and fine tobacco blend before an orange zest note lifts the finish. It’s brawny but balanced, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2029–2036. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up from the glass with a burst of crushed ashen stone and sage, giving way to mulling spice and dried black cherries. It envelops the palate with silken textures and masses of ripe dark red fruits, soothing, polished and balanced in feel. Edgy tannins mingle with a subtle citrus twang as rosy inner florals resonate through the dramatically long, youthfully structured finale. The balance here is beyond reproach. Mastrojanni blended in the juice from the Vigna Schiena d’Asino to bolster this bottling.Vinous Media | 93 VM

Hailing from the Sant’Angelo in Colle area, this impeccable and solid-quality label is characterized by its great balance. Olfaction with red raspberry and bay leaf, puffs of cinchona and zest of dogwood orange. On the palate, savouriness and tension, with spicy memory.Luca Gardini | 97+ LGA touch of hazelnut chocolate to the ripe plums and cherries, with hints of minerals and dried grapefruit. Structured and bright, with almost full body and a succulent, vertical finish. A lot going on at the end. From organically grown grapes. Drink from 2027.James Suckling | 94 JSThe Col d’Orcia 2021 Brunello is a fragrant, full-bodied red that opens with heady scents of violet, new leather, forest floor and ripe wild berry. As the estate lost 40% of its grapes due to frost, they made no single vineyard offerings in 2021 so the best grapes, including those from its lauded Poggio al Vento site went into the classic Brunello and it shows, thanks to its structure, finesse and energy that accompany flavors of wild raspberry, red cherry, blood orange and star anise. Taut, polished tannins offer seamless support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2029–2041. Abv: 14.5%Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is youthfully delicate, with nuances of dusty dried cherry, rose petals and licorice. The palate displays round textures and cooling acidity, with ripe red and black fruits beneath an air of inner florals. The long, energetic finish leaves fine-grained tannins and a pleasant chewy concentration.Vinous Media | 93 VM

Sangiovese blend ‘horizontal’ with two crus, Canalicchio and Montosoli, and plants over 10 years old, completed by great cellar accuracy. Olfaction with gardenia and wild sage, red plum and nuances of licorice root. Savoury to taste, floral memory.Luca Gardini | 98+ LGThe classic 2021 Brunello from Canalicchio di Sopra entices with its fragrance of lavender, eucalyptus, dark spice and red plum. Delicious and loaded with finesse, the smooth palate offers strawberry compote, red cherry, licorice and crushed mint accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Fresh acidity and a hint of orange zest elevate the finish. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 96 KOBeautifully balanced and polished, the Canalicchio di Sopra 2021 Brunello di Montalcino shows delicate mineral notes that frame cassis, blue flower and sweet Sangiovese aromatics. The wine is taut and energetic, driven by fine tension that carries through a mid-weight palate with length and silky, well-managed tannins, resulting in an elegant yet accessible expression. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks, the wine is sourced from fruit drawn across 10 hectares of vines over 10 years of age from the Canalicchio and Montosoli sites. Production totals 38,241 bottles, including larger formats.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is explosive in the glass, with waves of crushed rocks, savory herbs, nuances of split pine and dried strawberries. It communicates both juiciness and refinement, with crystalline mineral tones contrasting racy red and black fruits. The 2021 leaves the senses drenched in primary concentration as a sour twang of citrus mingles with fine tannins through the dramatically long finale. Despite having separated out the single-vineyard wines over the years, I am continually impressed with Canalicchio di Sopra’s Brunello.Vinous Media | 95 VMAromas of red cherries, pepper, meat and a hint of dark olives. Medium- to full-bodied, showing subtle fleshiness and precise tannins that bring focus and definition. There’s an ethereal quality, with pure, transparent red fruit and a clean, graceful finish. So approachable. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 95 JS

Castello Romitorio’s 2021 Brunello di Montalcino channels much of the estate’s fruit over seven plots, as no Riserva was produced, resulting in a wine of notable depth and cohesion. Whispered and delicate at first, the bouquet unfolds with white pepper, blue flowers and grilled herb before moving toward darker tones of sweet blackberry. The palate is open-knit yet powerful, showing juicy ripeness, layered complexity and a structured mid-palate that remains streamlined in classic Sangiovese fashion. Fermented in cement with maceration times tailored to the thickness of the skins from each plot, typically ranging from 18 to 24 days and extending up to 30 days when needed, the wine was aged for 24 months in oak, with 90% in large barrels and 10% in second- and third-passage tonneaux. Produced in 42,000 bottles, this Brunello will benefit from additional cellaring.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RPCedar spice box mixes with incense, cloves and dried black cherries as the expressive 2021 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. Elegant with a wildly appealing energy, the 2021 displays masses of ripe wild berry fruits beneath an air of violet inner florals. It finishes with incredible length and concentration, perfectly framed by a coating of sweet tannin. This young, radiant Brunello is sure to have many fans.Vinous Media | 95 VM

Prestigious cru, accompanied by a protocol aimed at preserving the tension of the raw material, with incisive juiciness. Black pepper in grains and red plum, then wild fennel, with minty and gardenia puffs. Rightly tannic, officinal and persistent sip.Luca Gardini | 100 LGThe 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Pelagrilli pours a brighter shade than the 2020 and shows a more vertical, tension-driven profile. The nose reveals red cherries, salted orange, leather, cedar, dried flowers, and that classic touch of incense that feels so Pacenti. Medium to full-bodied, it has ripe tannins, brisk acidity, and a long, mouthwatering finish, and it’s hard not to keep coming back to it. Drink 2026-2040.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDGorgeous aromas of blackberries, black cherries, cedar, bark and spices follow through to a medium body with fine, integrated tannins and a succulent finish. Shows drive and intensity at the end. Give this three to four years in the bottle, but it’s already beautiful. Drink after 2028.James Suckling | 97 JSBalsamic black cherries blend with nuances of mocha, brown spice and minty herbs as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli dominates the glass. It has the weight of velvet yet remains lifted and serene, with crisp red and black fruits that slowly penetrate, complemented by a twang of citrus. A bitter dark chocolate tinge adds tension through the close, further enhanced by edgy tannins, yet the 2021 leaves the mouth watering for more. Beautifully done.Vinous Media | 94 VMThe Siro Pacenti 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli shows concentration with dark fruit flavors framed by powdery tannins that extend through a medium- to full-bodied finish. Following fermentation in stainless steel, the wine matures in French barrique, a choice that adds structure and polish to this bold expression. Sourced from 10 hectares of moisture-retaining clay soils in the northern part of the appellation at 330 meters above sea level, the wine delivers notable power and warmth, closing with an evident 15.5% alcohol. This is a release of 24,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP

Black cherry, black licorice, graphite, violet and lavender aromas follow through to a full body with a compact center palate and chewy yet very integrated tannins that give drive and great length. Muscular and agile in the finish. Try after 2029.James Suckling | 98 JSSmall barrel and the most ‘historic’ vineyards on the property, combined with sustainable agriculture and non-invasive protocols in the cellar. Aromas of carob, puffs of gardenia and touches of dogwood orange. Savoury-salty sip, intense tannins, closes with a call of undergrowth.Luca Gardini | 98 LGThe Siro Pacenti 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne offers greater concentration and oak spice, presenting a dark and richly layered profile with generous tannins well suited to the character of the warm vintage. Aged in barrique, the wine is built from an intriguing blend of fruit, with half drawn from mineral-rich rocky soils at 150 meters in elevation in the southern sector and half from clay-heavy northern vineyards at 330 meters in elevation, giving it both weight and dimension. This structured and deeply flavored Brunello is produced in 15,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPYouthfully backward in the glass, the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne requires some coaxing to unleash its array of dried black cherries, mentholated herbs, cinnamon sticks and crushed stone. It is seamlessly silky smooth and supple, with depths of chocolate-laced wild berry fruits contrasted by a tactile mineral core. Fresh acidity wins the day as the 2021 finishes with cheek-punching tension, structured yet not severe, while leaving a tart berry twang.Vinous Media | 95 VM

Tension of raw material and compactness for a Brunello for years an embodiment of balance and elegance. Juniper and eucalyptus aromas, with sensations of dogwood and dill jam. The taste is savoury and compact, with great balsamic chime and nuances of small fruits.Luca Gardini | 100 LGSo perfumed and seductive on the nose, with black cherries, minerals and rose petals that follow through to a medium body with ultra-fine tannins. Its finesse and vision tell you why Brunello is great. Long, vivid and beautifully balanced. Already a joy to taste, but best after 2027.James Suckling | 99 JSLavender, eucalyptus, dark spice, new leather and juniper berry aromas shape the beautiful nose on the 2021 Fuligni Brunello. All about class and finesse, the palate boasts great intensity, delivering ripe Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and rosemary alongside vibrant acidity. Taut, refined tannins lend support. While incredibly tempting, this is still young so give it time to reach its full potential. Drink 2031–2041. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 98 KOThe Fuligni 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is an elegant expression with layers of dark fruit and blackcurrant that give way to pressed rose, grilled herb and petrichor, recalling rocks bathed in hot sunlight. The wine is chiseled and refined, owing to the classic nature of the vintage and the restrained, non-extractive house style that distinguishes Fuligni, a historic estate based just outside the village of Montalcino on higher-elevation sites. The wine shows precision with fine tannic tension and a linear, poised finish, making it an ideal match for traditional Tuscan dishes such as pappardelle al cinghiale or grilled lamb with rosemary. The wine ages for three years in Slavonian oak casks and tonneaux, resulting in a production of 30,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino mixes crushed violets and roses with nuances of sour citrus and wild berries to form its alluring bouquet. A model of purity, it is surprisingly lifted yet silken in feel, with pretty red berry fruits swirling across a tactile mineral core. Sweet tannins and a staining of primary concentration remain, finishing long and balanced with a pleasantly chewy sensation that lingers. While already appealing, the 2021 will require cellaring to soften the blow.Vinous Media | 95 VMFragrant notes of red fruits, flowers and citrus announce an elegant, admirably balanced silhouette with authoritative stature. The wine’s textural compactness, measured personality and stylistic consistency are convincing. This noble family has cultivated vines in Montalcino for over 100 years. The 15 hectares of vineyards, mainly around the estate’s centre to the east of Montalcino, are 380-450 metres above sea level.Decanter Magazine | 95 DEC

A bit shy initially, the San Filippo 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Comunali is crisp and bright, showing a simple, transparent Sangiovese character underlined by wild berry fruit and vibrant acidity. Medium- to full-bodied in texture with greater power expressed through length rather than weight, the wine settles into elegant aromas of crushed stone, white pepper and wild rose. It feels light and streamlined on the palate with drying tannins, again driven by the lift of that bright acidity. The Comunali name reflects a blend of estate parcels across Montalcino.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP

A perfumed and enchanting wine that seduces you with its pure aromas of plums, peaches, cedar, sandalwood and roses. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that caress your palate and give a long and beautiful finish. Extremely silky and polished. Crunchy. A great wine that’s a benchmark for the vintage. One of the best ever. Very drinkable now, but better after 2028.James Suckling | 100 JSLocation La Melina, compelling bio label that opens to aromas on raspberry sensations, then black olives, peony and hints of eucalyptus. Drink juiciness and tension, savory tannins. It closes with memories of small fruits and balsamic sensations, accompanied by iodized hints.Luca Gardini | 98+ LGThe San Filippo 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére reveals a darker color compared to the Comunali and greater fruit weight, adding depth and texture to the wine. Where the Comunali feels lean on the palate, Le Lucére shows breadth and a more individual character, shaped by its single-vineyard origin with distinctive yellowish sandstone soils. Flavors of wild plum and dark currant segue to light smoke and a flinty mineral note that reinforces the wine’s sense of freshness, while the tannins feel somewhat sweet (still very tight at the beginning, but they do soften) in this Brunello.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére is vividly fruit-focused. It opens with a blend of crushed black raspberries and blueberries elevated by nuances of pine and rosemary. This wine displays lovely elegance and a velvety feel, with cooling acidity to balance as masses of ripe red berry fruits slowly saturate the palate. Sneaky tannins frame the finish as the 2021 takes a turn toward the serious side, structured and incredibly long. It leaves a bitter dark chocolate resonance and violet inner florals to fade slowly.Vinous Media | 94 VM

Extremely perfumed, with aromas of black cherries, white roses, cedar and sandalwood that follow through to a medium body with gorgeous subtle fruit, fine tannins and a fresh and succulent finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but better in a couple of years.James Suckling | 96 JSDisplaying a medium red/garnet hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino has a fantastic nose, with ripe cherries, worn leather, wildflowers, balsamic, and a subtle rustic edge. The palate is medium-bodied and both inviting and structured, with outstanding clarity and length, ripe tannins, refreshing acidity, and a great finish. It’s exceptionally balanced and harmonious and should have no trouble drinking beautifully over the next 15-20 years. Drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDThe 2021 Brunello from San Polino opens with aromas of lavender, Mediterranean scrub, eucalyptus and forest berry. Made with organically farmed grapes, the full-bodied, savory palate features ripe Morello cherry, wild raspberry, blood orange and star anise set against firm, refined tannins. Fresh acidity provides balance. Drink 2031–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOWith vineyards in two different zones, San Polino keeps them separate, highlighting the diversity of Montalcino. From plots on the region’s cooler northern slope, this takes some coaxing to tease out exotic spice, walnut and orange zest. A juicy mix of sour red and dark black cherry fills out the palate. Clayey tannins are well formed and persistent. A deftly balanced expression of the ample fruit and ripe sturdy structure in 2021.Decanter Magazine | 93 DEC

A sleek and graceful wine with aromas of Parma violets, licorice, red fruit and a touch of mint. Full-bodied, it shows elegant tannins with freshness and well-tamed power. Amazing length, with a polished cherry pit aftertaste. Drinkable now, but intended for aging. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 98 JSA layered and complex expression, the Pieve Santa Restituta 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille combines dark fruit and oak with a deep plummy core accented by delicate hints of exotic spice. A precise mineral line runs through the wine and leads to fine, powdery tannins. The overall profile remains tightly wound at this young stage and will benefit from time to settle into a more integrated and complete expression. Sugarille is known to make wines with a subtle sweet-edged richness and supple yet structured tannins, shaped by soils rich in galestro and white clay that lend both age-worthy structure and mineral complexity. Production totals 9,500 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RPThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille bursts from the glass with masses of thyme, incense, rosemary and cedar before giving way to dried strawberries. It presents a subtle inner sweetness and elegant texture, coming across as weighty yet refined, with polished red berry fruits swirling throughout and leaving a bitter licorice tinge to linger on the palate. A complex web of fine-grained tannins flexes on the palate as a tart wild berry saturation lingers incredibly long. The 2021 is youthfully dense and tightly wound today, with the balance for a long and glorious evolution.Vinous Media | 96+ VMThe 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Sugarille was also resting in concrete when I tasted it in November of 2024. (The blend was completed in July.) It displays a darker red color and is deeper and more layered on the nose, with darker cherry fruit liqueur, sappy herbs, and fresh earth. It’s juicy and ripe at this early stage, with very nice balance, ripe tannins, a full, rounded feel, and a deeper mineral richness.Jeb Dunnuck | 95-97 JD