Discover our updated list of the best Brunello di Montalcino.
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INDEX:
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Brunello di Montalcino recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri
- Abbinamenti cibo Brunello di Montalcino
- Storia Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino – Introduction
Brunello di Montalcino stands as one of the most renowned and prestigious Italian red wines, achieving international recognition for its elegance, complexity, and remarkable aging potential.
This exceptional wine can only be crafted from 100% Sangiovese grapes within the borders of the municipality of Montalcino, situated in the province of Siena. Presently, the vineyards dedicated to Brunello di Montalcino span approximately 2000 hectares, with 200 bottlers contributing to its production.
The regulations governing Brunello di Montalcino stipulate that the wine must undergo a maturation period of at least two years in oak containers of any size. Furthermore, it is mandated that the wine cannot be released to the market before January 1st of the fifth year following the harvest.
BEST BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO recommended by Jean Marco Palmieri
What is the best Brunello di Montalcino?
Discover our updated list of the best 20 Brunello di Montalcino wines.
There will be photos, a score in cents and a description so that everyone can find the best Brunello di Montalcino suited to their tastes.
Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie 2019 – Il Marroneto
The bouquet reveals distinct and delicate varietal aromas, including fragrant violets, tart cherries, nipitella, and a subtle hint of cider. The palate unfolds with tannins of impeccable texture, synergistically intertwined with notable acidity and savory undertones, imparting length and presence to every sip.
Il Marroneto, led by Alessandro Mori and his son Jacopo, operates from a petite 6-hectare vineyard on the northern slopes of Montalcino, nestled within an ancient chestnut drying room that lends its name to the winery.
Madonna delle Grazie stands as their cru, crafted from a meticulous selection of scattered grapes sourced from a historic vineyard situated at an elevation of 420 meters. The vineyard faces north, and its soils consist of 75% sea sand. The winemaking process involves minimal intervention, eschewing the use of oenological additives. Fermentation spans approximately 20 to 22 days. The subsequent refinement and aging unfold within 25-quintal oak barrels, extending over a period of 41 months.
Madonna delle Grazie consistently asserts itself among the finest expressions of Brunello di Montalcino, embodying a virtuous interpretation of Sangiovese with a traditional character that prioritizes finesse over power.
Area: North Side (Madonna delle Grazie)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Le Potazzine
Description: Ripe fruits, with cherry and bergamot prominently featured, are accompanied by nuances of medicinal herbs and tar. The palate unveils remarkable concentration, establishing tension and rhythm through the interplay of acidic and mineral elements. The finish is impressively long, dry, and well-balanced.
Brunello di Montalcino originates from certified organic Sangiovese, sourced from two vineyards positioned on the southwest side at altitudes ranging from 420 to 507 meters above sea level.
The winemaking process involves spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts, extended macerations, and maturation in medium-sized Slavonian oak barrels.
Le Potazzine is a small family-run enterprise, encompassing around 5 hectares, led by Gigliola and her two daughters, Viola and Sofia. The estate is distinguished by its commitment to sustainable agronomic practices and an artisanal approach.
Undoubtedly counted among the finest expressions of Brunello di Montalcino, it distinguishes itself through its elegant and traditional style.
Area: South-West (Le Prata and La Torre)
Montosoli – Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Altesino
Description: The aromas are fresh and characterized by exceptional varietal clarity, ranging from violet and blood orange to medicinal herbs and patchouli.
In the mouth it presents great freshness and balance, with silky tannins of excellent concentration that support the palate and extend towards a savory and persistent finish.
Traditional vinification and long aging in oak barrels. The historic first cru of Montalcino, born in 1972 and exposed to the north, is known for producing wines with a lower alcohol content, highlighting a more delicate and elegance-oriented character.
Led by Elisabetta Gnudi and her daughter Vittoria, Altesino is a winery that has around 50 hectares of vineyards, mainly located on the northern side. The company has always been committed to meticulous sustainable practices and has solar panels that cover a good part of its energy needs. Altesino wines are known throughout the world for expertly combining tradition and modernity, complexity and immediacy.
One of the best Brunello di Montalcino for those who want to unequivocally understand the refined character of Montosoli.
Area: North (Montosoli)
Ragnaie Vigna Vecchia 2019 – Ragnaie
Fresh notes of pomegranate and blood orange are complemented by balsamic and roasted tones. The palate boasts an excellent balance, harmonizing phenolic concentration, acidity, and alcohol. It delivers a rhythmic, fresh, and voluminous experience.
Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Vecchia de Le Ragnaie is crafted from grapes cultivated in the vineyard situated at 600 meters above sea level in the Ragnaie area, immediately southwest of Montalcino. Fermentation occurs solely with indigenous yeasts in concrete, followed by a 36-month aging period in large Slavonian oak barrels. The use of concrete tanks ensures precise temperature control, preserving the primary and fermentation aromas.
Riccardo Campinoti’s Le Ragnaie company, benefiting from the elevated altitude of the denomination’s highest vineyards, produces wines with an exceptionally vertical character. The Vigna Vecchia, in particular, stands out for highlighting balance over dominant characteristics among its Crus.
This virtuous example serves as a reminder that being a craftsman is not an excuse for approximation but a privilege to meticulously work on details.
Area: South West (Ragnaie)
Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 2019 – Casanova di Neri
Description: Frontal and ripe fruit ranging from blackberries and cherries followed by hints of sweet spices, dark chocolate and pine resin. On the palate it is dense, velvety and enveloping, with compact tannins that evolve into a finish of excellent persistence in which the fruit and balsamic nuances are the protagonist.
Obtained from the Le Cetine vineyard, located south-east of Sant’Angelo in Colle. The grapes are meticulously selected, manually and with an optical selector, to extract only the best tannins. The fermentations take place without the addition of yeasts and the slow aging in wood (30 months) in barrels then characterizes the aromatic profile and enhances the typicality of the vine.
Led by Giacomo Neri, assisted by his sons Gianlorenzo and Giovanni, Casanova di Neri is a company that has 63 hectares of vineyards and represents one of the most important points of reference at an international level among the excellence of Montalcino.
Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for intensity and oenological style of great precision.
Area: South-East (Sant’Angelo in Colle)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Giodo
Description:Cherry, sour cherries and raspberries on a background of white chocolate and tobacco. In the mouth it is enveloping and savory with a well-defined and silky tannin of great presence and a pressing acidity that creates harmony and cleanliness on the sip. Excellent persistence.
alcoholic fermentation in steel and concrete vats and 20 days of contact with the skins and aging for approximately 30 months in 500, 700 and 2,500 liter wooden barrels. Followed by a passage of about 6 months in
cement and 18 months in bottle.
Giodo’s care, led by Carlo and Bianca Ferrini, for the winemaking process arises from the desire to maximize the potential of Sangiovese in an elegant and territorial key.
An interpretation with a rich and enveloping character. Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for its ability to combine power and elegance.
Area: South-East (Sesta)
Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto 2019 – Mastrojanni
Characteristics: Blackberry jam followed by pine resin and peaty notes. On the palate characterized by a marked concentration and glycerine component. Long finish, dry on the fruit and spices.
The grapes were selected at the sorting table based on quality, destemmed, pressed and, by gravitational fall, they were collected in resin cement tanks. Here the alcoholic fermentation process began and, based on its progress, pumpovers or delestages were carried out daily. The stay on the peels was approximately 20 days. The wine ages for 36 months in 25 hl (Pauscha 2020), 29 hl (Pauscha 2020) and 16 hl (Stockinger 2000) barrels.
From the historic Mastrojanni winery, an interpretation of Brunello di Montalcino in a classic key with great aging potential and complexity.
Area: South East (Castelnuovo dell’Abate)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Fuligni
Description:Fragrant on redcurrants, cassis and juniper notes. The sip is enveloping and soft, with a very thick but silky tannin and a pressing acidity that favors drinkability.
Fuligni’s Brunello di Montalcino is produced with Sangiovese Grosso grapes from vineyards located at an altitude of 380-450 meters on the north-eastern side of Montalcino. After manual harvesting and selection, fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by aging in Slavonian oak barrels for at least 24 months.
Fully among the best Brunello di Montalcino, great clarity, fragrance and olfactory intensity.
Area: North-East
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Castello di Tricerchi
Description: Fine and delicate notes of sweet violet, wild strawberries and maple syrup, embellished with wild mint. The palate is characterized by prominent acidity, which dialogues with soft tannin and a saline finish. Discreet although not marked concentration.
The grapes are obtained from vineyards located on the northern side, on soils composed of clay mixed with sand, the fermentation is obtained by indigenous yeasts in steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The long maceration with the skins gives vertical structure and very clear varietal aromas.
Led by Tommaso Squarcia, Castello di Tricerchi gradually increases the quality level of its wines every year.
Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for its unique style which enhances, like no other in the denomination, the floral character of Sangiovese. Very versatile in gastronomic pairing.
Area: North
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Uccelliera
Description: Dark, ripe berries embellished with notes of leather and roasting. On the palate it is savory and enveloping, with a soft tannic texture. Slightly balsamic finish with excellent persistence and cleanliness.
In the cellar the grapes are cooled with dry ice to preserve their aromas; Spontaneous fermentation follows. The wine then matures in barrels of different sizes and toastings.
Andrea Cortonesi produces a Brunello di Montalcino and is certainly one of the most interesting producers on the south-eastern side of Montalcino. Each vine is enhanced with agronomic practices that respect the peculiarities of the soil and the vintage.
Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for its ability to enhance the power that the Castelnuovo dell’Abate terroir expresses, but in an elegant and harmonious way. Excellent aging potential.
Area: South-East (Castenuovo dell’Abate)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Fornacina
Description: Fragrant with sensations of blood orange and currant followed by a more austere character of tar, leather and toasted and spicy notes. It stimulates the palate with well-concentrated textural tannins and good acidity which favors drinkability.
Vinification in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures, with long maceration and traditional pumping over. Followed by maturation in large Slavonian oak barrels.
Fornacina, led by Simone Biliorsi, combines tradition and modern techniques to obtain a product with an authentic and exciting character. Without a doubt one of the best Brunello di Montalcino in terms of value for money.
Area: South-East (Comunali area and Castenuovo dell’Abate)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Col di Lamo
Description: Small red fruits to make room for balsamic and spicy tones. On the palate it has a good balance between strong acidity and a discreet phenolic concentration. Excellent persistence with aftertaste echoes on the fruit and spices.
The Col di Lamo company, led by Giovanna Neri and her daughter Diletta, is a certified organic family business located on the north-eastern side that offers interpretations of Brunello di Montalcino based on freshness and balance.
Fermentation by indigenous yeasts in steel and concrete at a maximum temperature of 28 degrees. The wine ages 24 months in large French oak barrels and tonneaux.
Col di Lamo is confirmed as one of the best interpretations of Brunello di Montalcino for its ability to enhance Sangiovese in its fresh and fragrant components. Certainly among the most versatile in gastronomic pairing.
Area: North-East
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Le Chiuse
Description: Black berry fruit, liquorice, bitter cocoa and liquorice. On the palate it is material, with a developing tannin, which creates tension on the sip thanks to a marked acidity and flavor. Excellent persistence.
Manual selection of grapes, spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and aging in large Slavonian oak barrels as per tradition.
A wine of great depth, which has all the organoleptic prerequisites for a very long evolution.
Fully among the best Brunello di Montalcino with a classic style and sensational aging potential.
Area: North (Canalicchio)
Brunello di Montalcino Piersante 2019 – La Rasina
Wild raspberry, violet, blood orange flanked by medicinal herbs and a delicately woody finish.
On the palate it is broad and enveloping, supported by a strong acidity that gives freshness and drinkability.
La Rasina’s Brunello di Montalcino Piersante is fascinating for its balance between the alcoholic, phenolic and acidity components. Great premises for aging potential.
Without a doubt among the best Brunello di Montalcino in terms of aging potential. Good value for money.
Area: North-East
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – La Gerla
Description: Small wild red fruits, floral nuances of violets embellished with white chocolate and cloves. On the palate it is voluminous, rich in extract with silky tannins and a long finish in which the eloquence of the fruit echoes as the protagonist.
Brunello di Montalcino is produced only with Sangiovese Grosso grapes, selected in the vineyard and on a sorting table. After a controlled fermentation of approximately 15 days, the wine matures for 24 months in oak barrels of various capacities. Subsequently, it is bottled and rests further for 6 months before marketing.
A Brunello di Montalcino with fragrant and varietal aromas that spreads wide and vigorous on the palate. Deservedly among the best Brunello di Montalcino for aging potential.
Area: North-East (Canalicchi) South East (Castelnuovo dell’Abate)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Franco Pacenti
Description:
Tamarind and followed by roasting and dark cocoa powder and china.
On the palate it is savory with a well-concentrated tannic texture that creates an alternating note with the savory fruity components. Long, harmonious finish, with echoes of fruit and spices.
Fully among the best Brunello di Montalcino for versatility in gastronomic pairing. Interesting combination of a modern and traditional oenological character.
Area: North (Canalicchio)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Patrizia Cencioni
Black cherry that fades towards withered flowers, graphite and minty sensations. On the palate it spreads with soft tannins well balanced by the acid component which gives freshness and balance. Very persistent finish with echoes of fruity and spicy notes.
The grapes are manually selected, delicately destemmed, and subjected to controlled temperature fermentation with a total period of contact with the skins of 28 days. The wine matures for 48 months in 20 hl Slavonian oak and 7.5 hl French oak barrels.
The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wine by Patrizia Cencioni is a wine of strength, with sophisticated aromas and great cleanliness on the palate.
Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for taste-olfactory versatility and balance.
Area: South-East
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Capanna
Characteristics:
Delicate but complex with notes of redcurrant, undergrowth, tar and cloves.
The palate confirms the smell, with tannins of great compactness and silkiness and a finish of excellent persistence.
Capanna’s Brunello di Montalcino is a wine with a vertical character of great freshness, an expression of the great typicality of the Sangiovese from the northern side of Montalcino. Excellent value for money.
Area: North East
Brunello di Montalcino La Casaccia 2019 – Canalicchio di Sopra
Characteristics: Black cherry, violet, blood orange embellished with more enigmatic hints of and humus. On the palate it is voluminous and warm, with well-defined and compact tannins and great acidity which gives smoothness.
Interesting flavor and inexhaustible persistence in which the varietal character of Sangiovese resurfaces as the undisputed protagonist in its unmistakable aromatic eloquence and freshness.
Brunello di Montalcino La Casaccia is among the best for its ability to combine richness and drinkability. Ideal for enthusiasts certain of an authentic and artisanal product.
Area: North (Canalicchio)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Sesti
Description: Delicate floral sensations followed by notes of wild raspberry and blood orange, medicinal herbs and humus, embellished with well-integrated and balanced spicy woody nuances. The palate is exciting, the polyphenolic composition and a strong acidity give harmony and drinkability.
The grapes are vinified in steel. The wine subsequently matures for thirty-nine months in 30 hectoliter oak barrels, without undergoing filtration. After a year in the bottle, it is released onto the market
Deservedly among the best Brunello di Montalcino for its ability to combine richness and elegance: aromatic complexity, precision and intelligibility of the fruit.
Area: South-West (Sant’Angelo in Colle)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Poggio di Sotto
Description: Ripe blackberry, cherry and potpourri, embellished with balsamic touches and tertiary hints of graphite, liquorice and tobacco. The sip is full and enveloping and the tannins are elegant and well-defined, supported by a beautiful acidity that culminates in a fresh and persistent finish.
Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and minimal interventions both in the vineyard and in the cellar. A ‘traditional’ winemaking aided by modern technologies, in line with the soul of Poggio di Sotto, one of the companies that represents a model of management and quality for the entire denomination.
A Brunello di Montalcino with great structure and power, among the best for opulence and richness on the palate.
Area: South-East (Castelnuovo dell’Abate)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Salvioni
Description: Raspberry, ripe cherry, vanilla and dark chocolate. On the palate it is full-bodied and enveloping, with a good persistence finish with the fruit as the protagonist.
The low yields of the Salvioni vineyards give grapes concentrated in aromas which are processed carefully and scrupulously to respect their integrity, potential and structure. Each plot is characterized by a different terroir which translates into a wine rich in complexity and harmony.
A voluminous interpretation of purebred Sangiovese, which expertly combines freshness and tannic strength.
Area: South-East
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Lisini
Description:Blueberry juice on a background of white chocolate and sweet spices. In the mouth it is enveloping and savory with a well-defined and silky tannin of great presence and a pressing acidity that creates harmony and cleanliness on the sip. Excellent persistence.
Lisini’s care for the winemaking process arises from the desire to maximize the potential of the grapes. Manual harvest with selection of individual bunches, controlled whole berry fermentation and spontaneous clarification without filtration.
The historic Lisini company confirms itself as one of Montalcino’s excellences for its traditional style which highlights the fruit.
Area: South-East (Sesta)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Máté Winery
Description: Floral notes of violets, violets and wild berries, well integrated with balsamic and bitter cocoa nuances. On the palate it envelops the mouth in an enveloping and sinuous, well-structured sip.
All work in the vineyard and cellar is meticulously done by hand. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks at a controlled temperature, using indigenous yeasts. A long refinement follows in French oak barrels of 500 to 4000 litres.
A wine in which the nose, intriguing and multifaceted, is a prelude to an energetic and satisfying sip. Fully among the best Brunello di Montalcino for great strength and substance.
Area: South-West (Santa Restituta)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Gianni Brunelli
Description: Bergamot, wild strawberries, juniper berries, sweet woody tones. On the palate it reveals itself as powerful with sculptural ripe tannins supported by a good acidity that favors drinking. Great persistence with references to fruit and spices.
Sangiovese Grosso is grown at an altitude of 350 meters on clayey soils with a notable presence of marl. After 18 days of maceration on the skins, the wine refines its character through a period of 8 months of aging in Slavonian oak barrels of various sizes, including 5hl, 10hl, 21hl and 25hl.
Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for depth and olfactory precision.
Area: North (Le Chiuse di Sotto vineyard) and South-East (Podernovone)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 Vigna del Suolo – Argiano
Description: Black cherry and blackberry jam followed by dark chocolate and flint. Round and enveloping on the palate with good flavor and length.
Brunello di Montalcino comes from a Tuscan vineyard located between 280 and 310 meters above sea level. The vines, 55 years old, are deeply rooted in a soil characterized by marl, clay and abundant limestone.
The wine matures for 12 months in 12 hl ovoid French oak barrels, followed by a further 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels.
Among the best Brunello di Montalcino in the south-west area for its intense, rich but balanced character.
Area: South-West (Sant’Angelo il Colle)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Col d’Orcia
Description: Cherry in alcohol, well integrated with balsamic and bitter cocoa nuances. On the palate it pervades the mouth in an enveloping, well-structured sip.
The historic Col d’Orcia winery maintains the tradition by using large Slavonian oak barrels. Aging takes place for 3 years in barrels before bottling, followed by at least 1 year of refinement in the cellar before marketing.
Wine of good length and intensity that expresses the typicality of the south-west side, among the best Brunello di Montalcino value for money.
Area: South-West (Sant’Angelo in Colle)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Casanova delle Cerbaie
Characteristics:
Redcurrant and wild raspberry followed by pine resin and peaty notes. On the palate it highlights the fresh acidic components. Moderately concentrated tannin with slight harshness.
An intense extraction characterized by frequent pumping over in the initial stages of fermentation is followed by a prolonged quiescent maceration on the pomace. Careful control of the temperature involves an increase up to 31 degrees centigrade, followed by a racking phase in which the temperature is allowed to decrease freely.
Interpretation of Brunello di Montalcino in a vertical and sharp key.
Area: North-West (Cerbaie)
Le Pope 2019 – Verbena
Description: Morello cherry and raspberry followed by spicy notes, leather and juniper berries.
On the palate it reveals itself to be powerful, with well-defined and compact tannins supported by a vibrant acidity that seals the sip with balance and character.
Brunello di Montalcino Le Pope di Verbena is obtained from vineyards south-east of Montalcino at high altitude. The refinement is carried out in French oak barriques.
Captivating on the nose and eloquent on the palate, it is a wine in which the intelligibility of the fruit immediately takes shape in a juicy and highly enjoyable sip. Certainly one of the best Brunello di Montalcino for freshness and enhancement of the floral character of Sangiovese.
Area: South-West (Passo del Lume Spento)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Paradiso di Cacuci
Description: Fruit jam, cherry in alcohol and eucalyptus outline the olfactory profile. Rich on the palate, very concentrated with prominent tannin in fieri and great length.
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures, with pumping over and prolonged maceration and aging for 2 years in Slovenian oak barrels and 6 months in the bottle before marketing.
Paradiso di Cacuci sings a Brunello di Montalcino with a classic style, great power and aging potential. Interesting expectations for the future developments of the next vintages with the renowned winemaker Giuseppe Gorelli.
Area: North-West
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Palazzo
Description:
Wild berries in jam, coffee powder and tobacco. On the palate it is warm and rich, with good extraction and discreet freshness. Good length finish.
Obtained respecting tradition, this wine has an intense ruby red color which, with aging, evolves towards garnet shades. After 36 months of aging in oak barrels and barriques, followed by a further 8-12 months of rest in the bottle, it is ready to be marketed.
Area: South-East (Municipal Area)
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Ciacci Piccolimini d’Aragona
Description:Cherry, sour cherries and raspberries on a background of white chocolate and tobacco. In the mouth it is enveloping and savory with a well-defined and silky tannin of great presence and a pressing acidity that creates harmony and cleanliness on the sip. Excellent persistence.
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona’s care for the winemaking process arises from the desire to maximize the potential of the grapes. Manual harvest with selection of individual bunches, controlled fermentation with daily chemical analyzes and spontaneous clarification without filtration.
An interpretation with a rich and enveloping character. Among the best Brunello di Montalcino for intensity and power.
Area: South-East (Castelnuovo dell’Abate)
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO FOOD PAIRINGS
Brunello di Montalcino, with its imposing tannic structure, pairs magnificently with flavorful dishes enriched by robust sauces and intense seasonings, such as those based on brown stock and demi-glace.
The choice of local pairings for Brunello di Montalcino is an excellent option, fully enhancing the characteristics of both the wine and local cuisine. Examples of successful pairings with Brunello di Montalcino include Scottiglia di Cinghiale with Polenta, a rich and savory dish that harmonizes perfectly with the wine’s complexity. Equally delightful is Duck Breast in Brunello Sauce, a combination that enhances the wine’s fruity and spicy notes.
For cheese enthusiasts, pairing Brunello di Montalcino with Pecorino di Pienza aged in Barriques offers a unique experience, combining the wine’s robustness with the aromatic complexity of the cheese. Pappardelle al Ragù di Cinghiale (Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragù) is another classic pairing, where the intense flavors of Brunello seamlessly integrate with the savory wild boar meat.
If you desire an extraordinary experience, a Brunello di Montalcino can be paired with Chianina Tartare with White Truffle, creating a harmony of exquisite and refined flavors.
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO HISTORY
During the Middle Ages, Montalcino represented a fundamental stop for centuries in trade along the Via Francigena, the main road connecting Rome to Northern England.
In the late 1800s, Clemente Santi, a local pharmacist and viticulturist, initiated a mass selection of Sangiovese grapes to produce a 100% varietal wine capable of long aging. He was awarded in 1869.
In 1888, Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, Clemente Santi’s nephew, released the first “modern version” of Brunello di Montalcino, aged for over a decade in large wooden barrels.
At the beginning of the 20th century, phylloxera devastated vineyards in Europe, but Tancredi Biondi Santi replanted Sangiovese and adapted his cellar to produce high-quality wines.
In 1926, Tancredi Biondi Santi established the Cantina sociale Biondi Santi e C. to expand the Brunello trade, even exporting the wine to the United States.
In 1933, the Montalcino Wine Review took place with 10 producers. After World War II, Brunello di Montalcino gained a reputation as one of Italy’s rarest wines, with the Biondi-Santi family as the sole registered producer.
In 1964, the opening of the Strada del Sole A1 isolated Montalcino, leading to a 70% loss of population, impoverishment, and the closure of many wineries.
In the 1960s, with 11 producers, the Brunello di Montalcino consortium was born, and subsequently, it obtained DOC status in 1968.
In the 1970s, the number of producers doubled to 25. In 1980, the Montalcino region became the first Italian wine area to obtain the DOCG designation.
From the late 1980s and ’90s, particularly due to the promotion of the Brunello di Montalcino brand by the Banfi company, there was a significant increase in commercial success, with numerous new local, Italian, and foreign producers investing in Montalcino.
In the 2000s, the international press celebrated Brunello di Montalcino, enhancing its reputation, and consumption grew.
In the early 21st century, there are nearly 200 producers of Brunello di Montalcino, primarily small farmers and family-owned businesses.
In 2006, a Brunello di Montalcino was awarded the best wine in the world by Wine Spectator.
In 2008, the Brunellopoli Case erupted: seven Montalcino companies were accused of not complying with production regulations requiring 100% Sangiovese. The accusation resulted in four plea bargains, one indictment, and one acquittal. Since then, Montalcino has been marked by the need to return to traditions.
In 2016, the founding company of Brunello di Montalcino, Biondi Santi, was acquired by the French holding Epi, an investment company linked to fashion, luxury, and major Champagne houses.
In 2023, a Brunello di Montalcino was awarded the best wine in the world for the second time by Wine Spectator.
What are the best Brunello di Montalcino Wines?
What are the best Brunello di Montalcino? Choosing is an arduous undertaking, which however is inevitably subject to the limits of a subjective opinion, which as such, by definition, is deficient and arbitrary.
We have simply drawn up a list of our favorite interpretations according to our evaluations. However, it remains essential to underline that wine was not born as a status symbol, to be exhibited or shown off coram populo.
But to get excited and be shared in a genuine way with the people we love, connecting to contingent situations and the unrepeatable and intimate moments of our lives.
Therefore, we invite you to visit the companies and get to know the producers who produce wines in their uniqueness, so that you can discover and independently choose the wine that canbe counted among your personal favorite wines for you. If you have had the patience to read this far, I thank you for your attention, but now is the time to fill the glasses and cut off distant hopes, and therefore:
Cheers, Health, Santé
Jean Marco Palmieri
