Wine Ratings

wines

Ripe woodland berry, blue flower, botanical herb and eucalyptus aromas lift out of the glass on the classy La Gerla 2021 Brunello. Linear, structured and loaded with finesse, the palate offers succulent red cherry, wild strawberry, star anise and crushed thyme alongside firm, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Be patient and give it time to fully develop. Drink 2031–2041. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe | 96 KONortheast quadrant of the appellation, plants of about 30 years that benefit from silty soil, solid cellar protocol. It opens to aromas on memories of star anise and bay leaves, with shades of ginger. Brackish sip, spicy call and medicinal herbs.Luca Gardini | 96+ LGBalancing aromatic brightness with medium textural concentration, the La Gerla 2021 Brunello di Montalcino delivers lively notes of tart cherry and grenadine followed by light spice and grilled herbs. A classical Sangiovese profile anchors the wine, carried by bright acidity and a mineral thread that adds focus. Vineyards are located in various spots across the northeast and southeast quadrants of the appellation, contributing both freshness and structural balance. Production totals 30,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPThe 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a medium red/garnet color and unfolds with aromas of orange peel, cranberries, redcurrants, rhubarb, dried earth, and fresh Mediterranean herbs. The palate is bright and medium-bodied, with zesty acidity, well-defined tannins, and salty mouthwatering accents. It’s got a good deal of youthful tension and will drink well over the next 12-15 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens with mentholated freshness, as minty herbs mix with a whiff of white pepper, olive brine and wild strawberries. It is soft and soothing on the palate, with a subtle citrus infusion to its ripe wild berry fruits, as rosy inner florals cascade throughout. The hulking structure is revealed on the finish, as nuances of dark chocolate mix with spiced orange and clove over a bed of fine-grained tannins.Vinous Media | 93 VMSmoky and toasty wine, full of spices, restrained black cherries, earl-grey and bark. Medium-bodied, it’s almost sour and chewy on the palate, due to the brilliant acidity and firm, velvety tannins. Tight finish. Best after 2028.James Suckling | 93 JS

Restrained aromas of red cherries, raspberries, dried flowers, licorice, prunes and tobacco. Full-bodied, juicy and savory, it shows a very tasty palate with velvety tannins and a chalky, refreshing finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.James Suckling | 94 JSThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is expressive in the glass, with notes of crushed black cherries, sage, mint, cedar shavings and white smoke forming its inviting bouquet. It soothes the senses with silken textures and cool-toned acidity, as ripe plums and wild berries sweep across the palate. Edgy tannins envelop the palate with youthful poise. The 2021 finishes long and spicy, leaving a pleasantly bitter tinge to linger.Vinous Media | 93 VMFramed by an earthy, dusty mineral tone, the Mocali 2021 Brunello di Montalcino delivers pressed blackberry and plum followed by spice and spent ember in a bold, upfront style. A hint of sweetness on the palate softens the texture and keeps the tannins accessible, though the wine ultimately feels fairly one-dimensional on the close. Aging takes place over two years in French oak botte followed by one year in large Slavonian oak casks, an élevage that clearly defines the estate’s stylistic imprint. Production totals 50,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 92 RPThe 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is a youthful ruby red color and is expressive and nicely layered on opening, leading with aromas of cedar, toasted baking spice, redcurrants, orange peel, menthol, and cranberries. Zesty and refreshing, this medium-bodied Brunello has fine tannins, bright acidity, and notes of dusty earth on the finish. Drink 2026-2035.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDIn Montalcino’s southwest, Mocali’s vineyards reach 400m above sea level on limestone-rich marls. The 2021 exudes its Mediterranean landscape with pine, strawberry bush and sundried tomato – hints of soy and vanilla add further nuance. Mouthfilling though not heavy, lush plum is swathed in soft, clayey tannins. Above all, the palate impresses with savoury, saline mineral appeal. Balanced and mellowed without lacking vibrancy, it will please upon release.Decanter Magazine | 92 DEC

Andrea Cortonesi and his unique project in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, featuring refined and sensitive readings of Sangiovese. Very floral at the smell, with wild iris and gardenia, then red mulberry and cloves. Refined to the sip, with spicy nuances.Luca Gardini | 98 LGPouring a reflective red/garnet hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is floral and detailed on the nose, with preserved cranberries, cherries, anise, fresh roses, and polished leather. The palate is medium-bodied, structured, and bright, with chalky, angular tannins, refreshing acidity, and fabulous fruit purity that carries through a long finish. It’s exceptional and crisp, and it should easily hold up for 20 years. Drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDA spicy and classic Brunello with vibrant aromas of wild strawberries, raspberries, violets, smoky wood and licorice. Full-bodied, it shows balanced extraction, tamed velvety tannins, refreshing acidity and a super-savory, minerally finish. Juicy and long. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 96 JSMinty herbs mix with shavings of pine, dried strawberries and dusty earth as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. It displays exceptional finesse and grace, with silken waves of ripe red and blue fruits elevated by fresh acidity. Inner rose tones and a tactile mineral crunch add form toward the close. The 2021 leaves a pleasantly chewy sensation and a tart blackberry twang, tapering off with excellent length and a totally classic feel.Vinous Media | 95 VMBold and beautiful, the Uccelliera 2021 opens with aromas of dark exotic spice, Mediterranean scrub, lavender and eucalyptus. On the full-bodied, enveloping palate, notes of vanilla, licorice and oak accent a black cherry core. It’s young but balanced, with firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2031–2041. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOThe Uccelliera 2021 Brunello di Montalcino, produced in 34,733 bottles plus 900 magnums, shows a deep core of dark fruit and black cherry while remaining gracefully vertical and bright. Notes of spice, forest floor and sweet earth weave through the fruit, creating balance and a steady sense of richness that carries seamlessly across the palate. Grapes are harvested with the use of dry ice and fermented in stainless steel on indigenous yeasts, followed by 36 months of aging in oak vessels of varying sizes. All of this locks in aromas. The fruit comes from Castelnuovo dell’Abate at elevations ranging from 150 to 350 meters on mineral-rich, rocky soils, and this bottling once again underscores Andrea Cortonesi’s ability to translate terroir with precision and consistency.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThere are no single-vineyard bottlings at Uccelliera. Instead, owner Andrea Cortonesi brings together a diversity of plots from various altitudes, exposures, soils, vine age and clones for one complex sum. The 2021 divulges its balmy, southeastern origins with all the robustness and vigour one would expect, while managing to remain surprisingly poised. Nevertheless, this veers more to power than grace. A youthful wood imprint is absorbed by the fleshy, dark-toned fruit. Eucalypt, nutmeg and tarragon infuse. The bold and grainy tannins need more time to resolve.Decanter Magazine | 92 DEC

Nuances of crushed rocks, menthol and citrus-infused blackberries waft up as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino evolves in the glass. It is harmonious throughout, lifted yet silky in texture, with a wave of ripe red and black fruits alongside brisk acidity. Crunchy mineral tones add depth toward the minty-fresh close. The 2021 finishes staining and full of youthful tension.Vinous Media | 95+ VMShowing structure and depth, the Voliero 2021 Brunello di Montalcino reflects the balance and power of the vintage with young, firm tannins framing dark fruit flavors of blackcurrant, plum and toasted spice. The tannins are assertive at this stage and will need time to integrate, rewarding patience in the cellar. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and uses dry ice to preserve freshness, followed by 30 months of aging in oak vessels of various sizes, a regimen that underscores varietal character. Production totals 9,300 bottles plus larger formats.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPDisplaying a medium red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is expressive on opening, with a brightly spiced nose of dried orange peel, cranberries, redcurrants, dried earth, cinnamon, and clove. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant, with refined tannins, refreshing acidity, and a chalky texture that feels a touch understated at this early stage. On a second tasting, it showed fabulous length, balance, and focus, and it should only get better with another 6-12 months in bottle before drinking beautifully over the coming 12-15 years. Drink 2026-2046.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDA classic and spicy wine with aromas of licorice, smoky wood, wild strawberries and red cherries. Full-bodied and crisp, with firm, chalky tannins, savory dried cherry flavors and a tight yet ripe finish. Try after 2027.James Suckling | 94 JSAromas of forest floor, ripe black plum, blue flower and a whiff of resin form the nose on the Voliero 2021 Brunello. On the full-bodied palate, velvety tannins envelop succulent black cherry, bitter orange and tobacco. You’ll also notice the warmth of alcohol on the finish. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KO

Without taking anything away from owner Alessandro Mori, it seems that since his son Iacopo joined him in the cellar in 2019, Il Marroneto’s wines have achieved even greater precision. Perhaps it is the result of having another equally meticulous pair of hands. Whatever the reason, this 2021 could be the estate’s best classic Brunello so far – definitely on a par with the Madonna delle Grazie bottling. Perfumes of rose, peony, lavender and lilac unfold from a sweet, earthy backdrop. It floats effortlessly yet with ample depth of dark red cherry and raspberry flavour. Juicy orange rings from the core. Exquisitely refined, suede-like tannins are long and silky, though denser than usual, while piercing minerality prolongs the finish. Drinkability that is delectably within reach.Decanter Magazine | 98 DECA dark and complex wine with aromas of black cherries, cherry pits, dried flowers, licorice and hints of leather and intoxicating violets. There is elegance as well as depth. Medium- to full-bodied with great density and concentration, sleek tannins of outstanding ripeness, graceful acidity and a super-polished finish. Licorice aftertaste. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 98 JSThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with an exotic blend of crushed sour cherries and dried violets complemented by cedar spice box and nuances of incense. It is seamless and silken in feel, displaying notable weight while also coming across as graceful and refined, with a remarkably pretty blend of wild strawberries and a crunch of minerality. A raspberry sauce concentration and sour citrus twang remain as edgy tannins linger, offset by a bump of riveting acidity. This is a fantastic vintage for Il Marroneto’s Brunello, here taking on a level of complexity and concentration I usually associate with the Madonna delle Grazie.Vinous Media | 97 VMIl Marroneto’s 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is immediately captivating, showing lift and verticality that sets it clearly apart, with bright cherry fruit, grenadine and grilled watermelon underscored by an energetic, punchy edge. There is an appealing sweetness to the aromatics alongside hints of white peppercorn and pressed violet, with lifted tones that flirt with volatility yet remain controlled, carried by remarkably soft and polymerized tannins. The 2021 is distinctly austere and complex, etched with mineral precision and built with multiple layers stacked one atop another, gaining depth rather than breadth. Before fermentation is complete, the cap is soft and malic acid is not yet developed, and the wine is racked with residual sugar (from six to 10 grams per liter). The skins are pressed at 350 atmospheres in a vertical press, and the free-run juice is combined with the must to complete fermentation very slowly, over many months, bubbling happily along. It ages in oak botti for 42 months. This is a release of 22,000 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RPSpicy and floral, with a mineral graphitic tinge, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino offers a youthful look ahead to what is likely to shape up to be another fantastic vintage for Montalcino. It is plush, yet is pinned together with lifted acidity, and while there is significant baby fat at this stage, it offers a lot of immediate pleasure.Jeb Dunnuck | 93-95 JD

Blueberries, cloves, cola and dried herbs on the nose. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, showing delicate red fruit framed by chalky, chewy tannins that taper toward the cedary finish. From organically grown grapes. Needs a couple of years to soften.James Suckling | 93 JSHints of mint lift dank mineral earth, flowery underbrush and crushed strawberries as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino evolves in the glass. It is delicate, nearly weightless, with bright red berry fruits and mineral tones riding a wave of brisk acidity. Inner rose tones linger through the long and spicy finale as edgy tannins resonate throughout.Vinous Media | 92 VMThe 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is a medium red color and reveals enveloping aromas of baking spice, baked strawberries, toasted incense, and sweet herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it’s supple with polished tannins, a silky texture, balanced acidity, and an even finish. It has an appealing level of refinement in this vintage to drink over the next 10-12 years. Drink 2026-2036.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDMade with organically farmed grapes, the Collosorbo 2021 Brunello has aromas of plum, lavender, eucalyptus and dark spice. Bold and brawny, the palate offers dried cherry, prune, licorice and bitter orange before closing on the warmth of evident alcohol. Taut, close-grained tannins provide enveloping support. Drink 2029–2036. Abv: 15%Kerin O’Keefe | 91 KO

Location 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+ LGShavings of cedar combine with dusty stone, licorice and earthy tones as the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino slowly evolves in the glass. It is juicy in style with vividly ripe red and blue fruits, while a tactile mineral tinge adds a pleasantly crunchy sensation toward the close. Spicy with a sharp citrus twang, hints of tart wild berry pinch at the cheeks as edgy tannins resonate.Vinous Media | 93 VMBright, spicy raspberries and cherries, together with bark and smoky tones. Medium-bodied, it’s very crunchy, with crisp acidity and chalky yet ripe tannins. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.James Suckling | 93 JS

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

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

Unmissable from Ilcinese production in a version that does justice to his fame: it starts with dogwood and red plum, then eucalyptus and shades of ginger. A brackish sip, reminiscent of undergrowth and spicy, ends on citric chimes.Luca Gardini | 99 LGA shade or two deeper red in the glass, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Poggio Cerrino leads with minty herbs, blood orange, cranberries, peppery spice, and anise. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch more flesh, yet it remains nervous and tightly wound, with well-defined tannins, a lightly gravelly texture, and a refreshing spine of acidity. It takes the edge over the other 2021s at this tasting and shows terrific promise with time in bottle. Drink 2026-2040.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDSandalwood, violet, camphor and saddle leather are just some of the aromas you’ll find on the fragrant 2021 Brunello Vigna Poggio Cerrino. Showing intensity and a weightless finesse despite its powerful structure, the palate features succulent red cherry, orange zest, star anise and cedar notes before closing on crushed mint. A backbone of velvety tannins provides support. Drink through 2033. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Cerrino entices with minty freshness, as ground cloves and cedar shavings blend with mentholated blackberries and roses. It displays a more serious side of Tiezzi, with silken depths and ripe red and black fruits underscored by tactile mineral tones as fine tannins amass toward the close. Nearly crunchy through the long and potent finish, an herbal thrust and licorice tinge linger.Vinous Media | 93 VMFerrous and complex on the nose, with thyme, lavender, cola and a subtle, meaty note. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins that soften toward the finish, revealing red berries and dried-herb nuances. Better from 2028.James Suckling | 93 JS

New from Tiezzi, also from the Poggio Cerrino vineyard area, with slightly more calcareous soil, a raw material enhanced by the partial use of cement in winemaking: dogwood and red blackberry on the nose, shades of wisteria and cinchona, great gustatory freshness, with an iodized hue.Luca Gardini | 98 LGThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Tre Querci dazzles the senses with a vibrant burst of blackberries and cherries complemented by violet pastille and grounding nuances of dusty worn leather. It is seamless to the core with velvety textures and cooling acidity to balance, as ripe wild berry fruits swirl across the palate. This 2021 leaves a collection of fine tannins through the long and remarkably fresh finish as perfumed inner florals linger.Vinous Media | 93 VMA youthful ruby red color sets the tone for the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Tre Querci, which opens with attractive aromatics of wet stones, fresh cherries, thyme, and toasted incense. The palate is medium-bodied and tangy, with sanguine orange zest, a bright spine of acidity, and chalky tannins that give it shape through the finish. It should take things up a notch with another six months in bottle and offer a lot of pleasure over the next decade or more. Drink 2026-2038.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDBlackberries and red berries with notes of thyme and dried herbs. The palate is incisive, showing a saline edge and firm, chewy tannins, complemented by a savory and cedary nuance on the finish. Better from 2027.James Suckling | 92 JSBold and high toned, the Tiezzi 2021 Brunello Tre Querci has aromas of violet, baked plum, spiced blueberry and dark exotic spice. On the concentrated, rather monolithic palate, the warmth of evident alcohol, vanilla and licorice accompany black cherry extract and raspberry jam. A backbone of tightly woven tannins provide enveloping support before leaving a firm, grippy finish. Drink 2028–2035. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe | 92 KO

The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and brooding, with nuances of crushed black cherry, savory herbs and ashen stone wafting up from the glass. It displays silky textures and notable weight, with mineral-inflected red berry fruits that slowly saturate the senses. Fine-grained tannins add an aching tension through the finish as the 2021 leaves a penetrating tart berry concentration that adds chewy depth.Vinous Media | 93 VMThis red displays fruit flavors of black cherry, blackberry and black currant, plus shades of violet, iron and tobacco. There are firm, dense tannins for support and ample acidity driving the long finish. Best from 2028 through 2042. 3,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

A focused beam of black cherry, cassis and violet flavors permeates this tensile red. Mineral and wild scrub notes add depth as this builds to the long, fruity and savory aftertaste. A salty element lingers. Best from 2029 through 2045.Wine Spectator | 95 WSThe 2021 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with a pretty blend of citrus-tinged blackberries, violets and sweet spice. Textures of pure silk and cooling acidity beautifully complement racy red and black fruits. I love the momentum and purity here. It leaves a steely mineral concentration to mingle with fine tannins and inner rose tones. Year after year, Pian delle Vigne continues to improve through its graceful lift.Vinous Media | 94 VMThe 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a bright red color and offers a generous, lifted bouquet of polished leather, ripe red cherries, toasted cedar, and crushed flowers. Medium to full-bodied, it has an earthy, iron-tinged edge on the palate, with ripe tannins, brisk acidity, and salty accents that frame the finish. Drink 2026-2038.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDAntinori’s Montalcino estate sprawls out at the extreme western edge of the region, its warmest, most luminous stretch. Aromas of red cherry compote, vanilla, nutmeg and sweet dried herbs are appealingly and persuasively Mediterranean. The palate demonstrates admirable freshness and balance. Raspberry coulis and redcurrant jelly are hemmed in by a subtle grip of pliant, succulent tannins. Bitter orange animates the finish. All very well composed and affable, this neat package just wants a bit more gravitas.Decanter Magazine | 91 DEC

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

After not producing the appellation Brunello Di Montalcino in 2020, while still bottling their single-vineyard wines, Salicutti is back in 2021 with a saturated ruby red 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino that’s lush and perfumed on the nose, with rosy florals, raspberry liqueur, mocha, and lavender. The palate is medium to full-bodied and polished, with bright acidity, elegant tannins, and a velvety texture that carries through the finish. It has terrific purity and leans more red-fruited in style. Drink 2026-2045.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDThe straight 2021 Brunello from Salicutti is a beautiful, fragrant wine with heady aromas of lavender, Mediterranean scrub, plum and wild mint. Smooth and savory, the elegant palate features ripe black raspberry, Marasca cherry, star anise and cinnamon alongside enveloping, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lends tension. Drink 2028–2026. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe November 2025Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOBottled with a gray wax capsule, the Salicutti 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens with dark, fruity aromas of black cherry, plum, spice and sweet earth that suggest notable richness and concentration. On the palate, however, the wine reveals pretty brightness and freshness, bringing vitality and energy to a medium- to full-bodied texture that feels balanced and lively rather than heavy. Blended from various estate parcels ranging from 420 meters to 500 meters above sea level, this expressive Brunello highlights Salicutti’s ability to combine depth with lift. This is a release of 6,500 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThis red straddles the line between cherry and raspberry fruit and earth, eucalyptus, menthol and Mediterranean scrub flavors. There’s a juicy feel midpalate, and this builds to the long, complex finish. Thick tannins and bright acidity lend structure. Best from 2030 through 2048. 534 cases made, 481 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WSThe wickedly fresh 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a captivating bouquet of wild blueberries, sweet lavender, orange shavings and dusty dried roses. It’s juicy in feel, silken yet energetic, with crisp wild berry fruits elevated by hints of citrus and spice. Steely mineral tones mingle with fine tannins as this finishes with excellent length, airy and perfumed. A total pleasure to taste.Vinous Media | 93 VM