Brunello di Montalcino has enjoyed a spectacular golden age during the 21st Century.
Brunello di Montalcino is rightfully considered one of the world’s most iconic red wines, and for good reasons.
Produced entirely from Sangiovese in a zone in and near the town of Montalcino in southern Tuscany, it is arguably the finest representation of this grape; yes, there are other glorious 100-percent Sangiovese wines from Italy, but Brunello di Montalcino is certainly the most famous and well-loved of these wines.
But perhaps the most defining factor with Brunello is its aging potential; when produced from an outstanding vintage, the wine can age beautifully for 25 years plus. This aspect has caught the attention of wine collectors from around the world, which in turn has only helped the lofty reputation of this wine.
2021
For 2021, Sani notes the low yield, but a vintage that resulted in spectacular wines that are clean, bright and fresh, with a long aftertaste; he predicts this will be a long aging vintage of more than 25 years.
Leoneschi comments on the good balance, spiced aromas and ripe tannins of the ’21s, while Magnelli points out that the ’21s have the highest acidity of the last decade; that plus the higher density of tannins has resulted in wines of great character and long aging potential of 20-25 years.
2020
Sani states that the 2020s are riper than the ’21s and are generous with good balance; he believes this is another long-aging vintage, and that the ’20s require more time to evolve in the bottle than the ’21s.
Leoneschi notes the lower tannic expression in the wines of this year, while pointing out the good aromatic expression, while Magnelli emphasizes the good balance of all the elements. “The tannins are smoother than usual; thus, the wines are more approachable than usual.”
He suggests enjoying the ’20s over the next 10-12 years.
2019
“Generous with good concentration and higher yield”, is how Sani describes the 2019s, while Leoneschi defines this as an excellent vintage in which harvest was later than normal resulting in wines of “great aromatic expression and great acidity”.
Magnelli recalls 2019 being an “easy vintage giving perfect grapes”. He notes the “richness and great fruit expression” of the 2019s, and believes the wines have an aging potential of 15-20 years.
2018
Sani describes the 2018 Brunellos as elegant with notable finesse; very well balanced, they are more ready to drink in his opinion.
Leoneschi also recalls the “great finesse” of the ’18s, as well as the notable balance and drinkability, while Magnelli describes the wines as “more on the elegant side than powerful”. In his opinion, these wines were approachable from the start and will show well for 10-15 years.
2017
The 2017 Brunellos for Sani are “ripe with some nice complexity in the nose”; he labels them as “generous” wines.
For Leoneschi, 2017 was all about lower production, higher concentration, good balance and acidity, while for Magnelli, a hot and dry summer made for an early harvest with wines that did not display perfect phenolic ripeness. He does note that the wines from the northern sectors of the production zone have good acidity and good potential for aging.
2016
2016 was a “fantastic vintage, one of my very favorite in Montalcino”, according to Sani, while Leoneschi recalls the “elegance, great acidity and incredible longevity” of the 2016s.
For Magnelli, 2016 “is my favorite one for texture of tannins and deep flavors … the wines were enjoyable from the beginning, but also offer great aging potential”.
2015
For Sani, 2015 was similar to 2019, generous wines of good quality that are ready to drink now.
Leoneschi loves the 2015s for their “great complexity and rich extraction”, while Magnelli recalls this year being warmer than usual, “making rich wines with lots of glycerin”. He notes the combination in the ’15s of “great fruit expression, good quality of tannins and slightly lower acidity”.
2013
Sani describes the 2013s as “classic and long aging, with good balance”. Leoneschi notes the great acidity and lively tannins of these wines, while for Magnelli, 2013 “was one of the most classic vintages ever at Le Chiuse”. He recalls a cold but sunny September resulting in larger and fruitier wines.
For him, 2013 shows arguably the greatest potential for aging from that decade, over 25 years.
2012
2012 was warmer and riper with good concentration and nice tannins, according to Sani; for Leoneschi, the 2012s are complex and deep with good fruitiness.
Magnelli describes the 2012s as “going straight to the point”. He notes the good complexity, but not the same aging potential of colder vintages; and predicts 15 years of cellar potential.
2010
All three producers agree that 2010 was an outstanding year for Brunello.
Sani depicts this as a big vintage, with deep concentration and power, one meant for long aging; for Leoneschi, the 2010s are “complex and balanced with great longevity”. Magnelli labels this year as a “vintage of character, sometimes austere … along with 2013, the greatest aging potential”.
2009
The 2009s for Leoneschi are “aromatic, fresh and traditional”, while Magnelli recalls that growing season as warm, with lots of rain and high humidity.
“Because of that, the acidity is great, and the wines are still showing nicely, with another 10 years ahead of them.”
2008
According to Leoneschi, 2008 was a late harvest, with the wines displaying admirable balance and good acidity.
Magnelli remembers that year as colder, with the wines not being approachable at all, due to a lack of balance upon release; acidity and tannins were more evident than usual.
“At the same time, that makes 2008 one of my favorite ones to drink now.”
2007
Sani describes the 2007s as “riper, good to drink now”.
For Leoneschi, the wines from this year offered great concentration, and are “rich in structure and alcohol”. Magnelli comments that 2007 was similar to 2012 and 2015, “fruity, rich and easy to understand; appreciated upon release”. He does think that some of the 2007s are starting to become a little tired.
2006
Leoneschi describes the 2006s as having full ripeness and notable tannic richness, as well as good freshness.
For Magnelli, 2006 is one of his favorite vintages. “We got sun, great variation of temperatures and lots of wind. There were evident but ripe tannins, and some of the wines are still full of life.”
Source:
Wine Searcher
2020 Brunello Vintage: Ready and Willing
Brunello 2019: A Vintage for the Ages
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