Brunello

Brunello, Italy's Most Prestigious Red Wine

Brunello – the legendary wine of Tuscany produced in only the greatest of vintages, with a longevity no shorter than a human lifespan. Only four vintages—1888, 1891, 1925, 1945—were declared in the first 57 years of production creating an almost mystical level of romance surrounding Brunello and its incomparable prestige.

But this reputation was put to shame by “Brunello-gate” in 2008 and lead to a series of basic questions about what makes Brunello, Brunello and should that be changed. Out of these fascinating questions we construct this tasting, a historical, geographic and flavor profile review of the region of Brunello as its stands today.

In flight one we start by tasting a pure Sangiovese wine from Montalcino with no French Barrique. From there we upgrade to “true” Brunello, allowing us to compare and contrast the difference in Rosso and Brunello. The final wine takes us to Sant’ Antimo, a production zone that is exactly the same as Brunello’s, but with looser rules allowing for the addition of other varieties. Are these wines “Super Brunellos” comparable to Super Tuscans? Or merely gimmicks? We shall taste and see.

Flight two takes us across Montalcino. Montalcino’s geography, that of being a town on a single hill top actually creates for different “zones” of Brunello production, with each zone having a different soil type as well as a different micro-climate. Thus, when you taste zone by zone you get a significant difference in aromas and flavor profiles. In this flight we aim to taste those differences.

We finish by discussing winemaking style, both in the vineyard and in the winery. Vintners do not always agree of what exactly ripeness means, and this can result in radically different flavor profiles within the grapes themselves. Then, in the winery, vintners (and the Italian government) do always agree on what and how long you should age your Brunello. As much impact as location can have, we could argue that these winmaking choices have an even stronger impact on the taste of your Brunello. We shall investigate.

For connisuers of Brunello and for tasters just getting their first chance at one of Italy’s most regal wines, this is a tasting not to miss.

Wines to be tasted: 

Flight one:
2019 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino $119.99
2019 Le Potazzine Rosso di Montalcino $69.99
2019 Le Potazzine Brunello di Montalcino $149.99

Flight two:
2018 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino $99.99
2010 Castiglino del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino $119.99
2019 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino "White Label" $99.99

Flight Three:
2019 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino  $165.99
2016 Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino $84.99
2019 Gaja Pieve Santa Restitua Brunello $159.99

All prices listed shown are regular retail. Significant discounts offered on all wines at the tasting.

Due to their highly allocated nature, some wines may change without notice.