- 100% Sangiovese sourced from Podernovone vineyard at an altitude of 500 meters with south-western exposure, planted in 1998, and Canalicchio vineyard at an altitude of 250 meters with north-western exposure, planted in 1989
- Galestro, calcareous marly schists, and white clay soils
- Maceration and fermentation occurs over 23 days
- Aged in 25-30HL Slavonian oak casks for 30 months prior to bottling
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2018
Country:
Italy
Region:
Tuscany
Appellation:
Brunello di Montalcino
Variety:
Sangiovese
Color:
Red
Farming Practice:
Practicing Organic
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | IT-BRU-11-18 | 6/750ml |
Press & Reviews
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
97
Date
2022-12-02
"Aromas of ripe berry, forest floor, camphor and new leather form the nose. Juicy and delicious, the elegant palate has an enticing, pristine purity of fruit, delivering succulent red cherry and raspberry compote punctuated with black tea and white pepper before closing on a hint of almond. Vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins provide support. Drink through 2023†2030. 14% abv. Kerin O,Keefe November 2022 'kerinokeefe.com"
Wine Enthusiast
Score
96
Date
2024-05-01
"The nose starts sanguine and savory, with notes of tar and soil, then turns lighter and fresher with aromas of blood orange, cranberries, cherries and roses. The palate is cherry-forward, with a sunny citrus warmth, but a gust of mint provides freshness and balance, while acid sizzles around structured, stoic tannins like flames lapping at the slats of a grill. Skurnik Wines, Inc. ‡D.C."
Wine Advocate
Score
95+
Date
2023-03-09
"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino does a great job of capturing the essence and the spirit of Sangiovese, a grape that delivers infinitely nuanced and complex results when in the right hands. This wine reveals wild cherry, blue violet, blood orange, rusty nail and sweet earth. There is a hint of scorched earth or baked clay that underlines the warmest months in this growing cycle. The results are balanced and fresh. I've mentioned alcohol content throughout this report, and although the 14% registered here is still quite high, is it below the average for its peers. This is a job very well done. Some 15,700 bottles, 200 magnums and 30 three-liter bottles were released."
Decanter
Score
93
Date
2023-02-06
"As with the 2017 vintage, Laura Brunelli will not be releasing a Riserva. Instead, the Olmo vineyard which typically forms the backbone of the latter is an important component in this annata Brunello, making for a lovely and complete wine. Mint, lavender and fennel lead on the nose while sweet, succulent persimmon and crunchy pomegranate provide the backdrop on the palate, and the chalky tannins are rather sneaky in their grasp. There's a superficial accessibility, but substance, intrigue and backbone suggest even more to come."
James Suckling
Score
93
Date
2022-11-30
"Enticing nose of rosemary, wild cherries, lemon peel, chocolate strawberries and praline. It,s medium-bodied with a bright, fruit-forward palate, framed by fine-grained tannins. All in balance. Drink from 2023."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2022-12-01
"The darkly alluring 2018 Brunello di Montalcino grumbles up from the glass, with a mix of crushed plums and black cherries complemented by rubbed sage nuances. It,s soft-textured and deep, engulfing the palate in ripe wild berry fruit and spice, underscored by a savory herbaceous steak. A web of fine tannins is left to linger, creating a truly classic impression, as mentholated herbs and hints of wild strawberry linger on and on. This youthfully masked beauty will only require minimal cellaring to show its best."
Wine Spectator
Score
93
Date
2023-03-29
"Laced with cherry and raspberry fruit, this red also offers eucalyptus, mineral, earth and almond flavors. Vibrant and balanced, with an intense, mouthwatering finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. ‡B.S."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
2020
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
96
Date
2025-01-30
"The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino sports a bright ruby red color and is lush with ripe aromas of pure cherry liqueur, orange peel and oils, toasted earth, delicate cedar spice, and darker wet stone, with just a touch of rustic saddle leather on my second tasting. It's saturating and energetic on the palate, with loads of salty energy coursing through the wine, refreshing acidity, and a snappy feel with coiled ripe tannins. I like the energy this wine brings, and it's only going to improve with time. Give it a few more years and drink it over the next couple of decades. At my second tasting, it felt more approachable in its youth and was refined and well-balanced."
2020
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
96
Date
2024-11-01
"Forest floor, wild rose, Mediterranean scrub, new leather and forest berry aromas take shape on the fragrant 2020 Brunello from Gianni Brunelli. Showing elegance and restraint, the savory palate delivers red cherry, woodland strawberry, truffle and orange zest before a star anise finish. Silky tannins and fresh acidity provide seamless support and balance. Drink 2027–2032. Abv: 14% Kerin O'Keefe November 2024"
2020
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2024-10-16
"Balsamic and complex profile to this wine. The nose exudes dried flowers, licorice, raspberries and redcurrants. Very crisp and juicy, with full body and bony, chalky tannins due to its youth. Yet, it's sweet and balanced on the finish. This needs a bit of time for better integration, yet it's a gourmet wine with very good substance for the long haul. Best after 2025."
2020
Wine Advocate
Score
95
Date
2024-11-21
"The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is balanced, finely textured and shows smooth consistency over the palate. There is a lot of life in this vibrant Brunello. Red and purple fruits segue to sweet earth and iris root. I especially love the mouthfeel achieved here. It's that combination of richness and extreme silkiness that sets it apart. This is a release of 16,907 bottles plus larger formats."
2020
Vinous
Score
94
Date
2024-11-26
"The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino entices with a seductive bouquet of crushed cherries and strawberries elevated by hints of mint, cedar and saddle leather. This is a more graceful and elegant style, with medium-bodied textures and pure wild berry fruit notes that ride a wave of brisk acidity. The 2020 echoes with nuances of licorice and blue and purple inner florals while leaving a subtle coating of fine tannins that frame the experience quite nicely."
2020
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2025-03-19
"A core of pure cherry and plum is framed by mineral and wild herb flavors in this rich, dense red. Harmonious and remains fresh and long, with the ripe fruit leaving a lasting impression. Shows fine intensity. Best from 2027 through 2045."
2020
Jancis Robinson
Score
17+
Date
2024-12-12
"Just mid ruby. Cardamom and morocco-leather hints and iodine, minerally notes on the nose. Compact, youthful cherry-fruit palate with delicious chewy tannins taking the lead on the aromatic fruit finish. Great potential. (WS)"
2019
Kerin O'Keefe
Score
99
Date
2024-12-29
"#9 Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023: The gorgeous 2019 Brunello from Gianni Brunelli pulls you in, with its quintessential Brunello fragrance composed of underbrush, woodland berry, botanical herb and wild rose. Savory and all about finesse, the delicious palate shows elegant restraint and energy, delivering juicy red cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and crushed mint alongside polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it beautifully balanced. Hats off to Laura Brunelli, this is an absolutely enthralling wine. Drink 2027–2039"
2019
Decanter
Score
98
Date
2023-12-18
"Just below Biondi-Santi in southeast Montalcino, this is one of the most classic estates of the denomination. The 2019 has a deep nose of amazing fruit ranging from cherry to strawberry, soaked with fresh violet, liquorice and vibrant minerality. It's loaded with racy acidity and firm, velvety, super-ripe tannins; lavish and polished. The wine is aged for 29 months in Slavonian oak, of which a third is renewed every year."
2019
Jeb Dunnuck
Score
98+
Date
2024-02-29
"Displaying a deeper though youthful red hue, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is expressive with cherry liqueur notes coaxing from the glass, and it is well-woven with plush, refined aromas of fresh leather, crushed flowers, mocha, and fresh herbs. Expressive, with focused clarity, a great, pure feel, notes of blood orange, and mineral undercurrents all weaving together through the palate, it's long and pure, with noble structure and balanced energy. Bursting with life and refinement, it offers nervous tension and a lingering perfume of dried apricot on the finish. At this youthful stage, there's a hint of oak spice that frames the wine beautifully, but it demands cellaring to come together further. This is going to be one to cellar and drink over the coming decades. Drink 2027-2050."
2019
Wine Spectator
Score
94
Date
2024-03-27
"Fresh and fruity, boasting cherry, raspberry and plum flavors augmented by underbrush and iron notes. This firms up quickly, with dusty tannins paving the way on the finish. The lasting impression is fruit. Best from 2026 through 2042. —B.S."
2017
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2022-02-17
2017
Decanter
Score
94
Date
2022-01-24
2017
Wine Enthusiast
Score
94
Date
2022-04-01
2017
James Suckling
Score
92
Date
2021-11-04
2017
Vinous
Score
92
Date
2021-12-01
2017
Tom Hyland
Score
91
Date
2021-12-15