Brunello di Montalcino is the Tuscan wine with the longest maturation: it requires over 4 years of ageing. By law, it must remain in wooden barrels for at least 24 months and can only be put on sale starting from January of the fifth year following the harvest. So, this year the 2015’s Brunello are coming out (2016’s Brunello will be released from January 2021).

The reason for this long time is due to the power and structure of the wine, which make it a champion among the traditional appellations of Tuscany. The hill of Montalcino is a magical place for Sangiovese grapes, which reach optimal levels of ripening here and give life to complex, full-bodied, elegant and long-lasting wines (Brunello is 100% Sangiovese).

In 2015 weather conditions were favourable and, in particular, the summer was extraordinarily hot and dry; this resulted in smaller bunches than usual in Brunello grapes with berries full of sugar. The outcome is a Brunello with a powerful, full-bodied and immediately enjoyable character.

Brunello 2015 tend to have deep colour, as in warm seasons the colour becomes deeper. Fruity aromas prevail, both of ripe fruit and of fruit in a jam or candied fruit, but the bouquet of a Brunello is always very complex with also spicy and undergrowth nuances.

On the palate, the wines are warm and full-bodied and never excessively hard. They have a balanced character, enjoyable even upon release. It is not said, however, that they cannot also age for a long time like all the best Brunello vintages.

I participated in “Benvenuto Brunello“, the preview organized by the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium in February 2020 and in two days I could taste over 100 Brunello wines and I selected some that particularly impressed me. I list them in alphabetical order of the producer because they are all excellent and I don’t like to make a ranking (everybody has its own!).

Altesino – Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli 2015

It has a lean character but does not give up flavour intensity with citrus fruits, herbs and spices.

Baricci – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

I like it for the precise definition of the scents of red currant, cherry and violet and for the lively and savoury taste. Very appealing.

Castello Romitorio – Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta 2015

Balsamic and refreshing with great mouthfeel and refined movement.

Castello Tricerchi – Brunello di Montalcino AD 2015

Very deep and powerful. Amazing concentration of evolved aromas of cherry in alcohol and liqueur chocolate.

Cupano – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Fruity and relaxed. It has a good balance between softness and freshness.

Fattoria dei Barbi – Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Fiore 2015

Very precise, floral and fruity. It has a full body and is supple. Very long finish.

Il Marroneto – Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie 2015

Delicacy is the keyword: pale colour, refined smell (wisteria, citrus, apricot, raspberry, mint, …) and elegant taste, which is lean and subtle.

Il Poggione – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Warm, soft and balanced with a lingering finish of orange and berries.

Le Potazzine – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Graceful and supple. Very refined, with a long finish of red currant and spices.

Le Ragnaie – Brunello di Montalcino Casanovina Montosoli 2015

Very elegant, tasty and refreshing. As tense and vibrant as a violin string.

Le Ragnaie – Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Viti 2015

Very concentrated and deep, suitable for further bottle ageing.

Lisini – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Flavorful, savoury and bone dry. It has articulated perfumes of undergrowth, herbs, citrus fruits and spices.

Mastrojanni – Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto 2015

Powerful and well-developed Brunello with aromas of jam, herbs, forest floor and meat. Balanced and sustained.

Mocali – Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Raunate 2015

Complex and harmonious, it is full-bodied and well balanced. Suitable of further bottle ageing.

Piancornello Podere del Visciolo – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Fresh and lively. It has a vibrant taste with aromas of cherry, orange and pink pepper.

Pietroso – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

It shows its muscles with class! It has a fresh and mentholated scent; intense and warm on the palate.

Podere Le Ripi – Brunello di Montalcino Amore e Magia 2015

Robust and evolved, very mineral. Deep coloured with well-developed scents of blueberry, chocolate, coffee and leather.

Poggio di Sotto – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

It combines power and elegance, has a mineral and evolved character.

Salvioni – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

It boasts classy complexity and structure. Scents of candied cherry, dried fruit, liquorice, undergrowth. In the mouth, it seems to dance with mineral vibrations, really tasteful.

San Lorenzo – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

It has grit and sustained taste, with ripe fruit, withered flowers, undergrowth and spices. It stays with you for a long time with orange and liquorice.

Sesti – Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Silky and savoury, somewhat meaty with a prolonged finish.

Solaria-Patrizia Cencioni – Brunello di Montalcino 30 anni 2015

Very sensual. It features fruit jelly, vanilla and cocoa together; it has a soft texture and a tasty finish.

Tiezzi – Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Soccorso 2015

Very classic, full-bodied and elegant. It has an exciting smell of violet, thyme, strawberry and orange and lingers with a long cherry finish.

Fabio Ceccarelli
Italy4golf Italian Ambassador
finewineitaly.com