Wines from Tuscany | Montalcino

San Polino's Rosso di Montalcino offers a strong mineral signature over bright cherries, cassis and herbs. Elegant and attractively layered on the palate with fine-grained tannins. Fresh, juicy and light on the long finish, which is very animating. A stylish red that impresses with its unobtrusive style. SUPERIORE.DE

Good, full red colour. Captivating aromas and flavours of ripe red cherry, spicy herbs and blackcurrant jelly are interwoven with bright liquorice and blood orange nuances. An exceptional Rosso that combines richness and vibrancy in a remarkably harmonious way. Closes creamy yet refined. Wow, this is more than the little brother of Brunello di Montalcino! SUPERIORE.DE

"A burst of crushed raspberry and sweet smoke comes together with cloves, cinnamon sticks and hints of worn leather as the 2021 Rosso di Montalcino opens in the glass. This is softly textured yet lifted in feel with ripe red fruits propelled by juicy acidity, as rosy inner florals add further depth. The 2021 tapers off structured and long, leaving the mouth watering even as grippy tannins resonate. The 2021 found excellent balance in this warm vintage." Vinous

"Here comes an intense and fruit-expressive Rosso di Montalcino that delivers excellent richness and freshness on the nose. Mineral, ripe strawberries, red plums and walnuts to the nose follow through to a tight, medium- to full-bodied palate. Quite vertical and structured with lots of tannins that give a comfortably grippy closure to the long, tight finish. A serious, outstanding Rosso di Montalcino." James Suckling

Gauggiole comes from a single vineyard in the north-east of the Castiglion del Bosco estate and is vinified exclusively in concrete barrels. Bright, lively red. On the nose, fresh red berry fruits with delicate herbal notes. Well structured in the mouth with cool red fruit flavours like cherry, floral nuances of violet and peppery notes on the finish. Well balanced on the palate with fine tannins and good ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Beautifully deep nose with fantastic focus. Juicy fruit, supple and elegant but with a little more concentration than L'America and rich, enveloping tannins." Jancis Robinson

"The Rosso di Montalcino Gauggiole 2020 is a pretty and discreet expression with a bouquet of wild strawberries and peppery herbs. It is silky and has a cool character, while red berries and mineral tones slowly unfold. The finish is classically dry with an acidic citrus note that adds nicely to the expression. The Gauggiole comes from a single vineyard in the north-east of the Castiglion del Bosco estate. It is aged in concrete barrels." Vinous

"Here is a new surprise from Castiglion del Bosco. The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Gauggiole is made from a selection of fruit from a 20-hectare vineyard with rich clay soils and is quite soft and silky from the start. The wine offers a delicate ensemble of wild berries, cherries, blue flowers and white pepper. Pretty background tones of crushed limestone and iron ore give the wine a sense of place. All in all, this is an elegant expression that highlights the true personality of young Sangiovese." Wine Advocate

"Notes of redcurrants, flowers and undergrowth on the nose; compact in the mouth, in perfect harmony between structure and acidity, smooth finish on notes of wild berries and spices. Excellent with pasta and light meat dishes." Vinum

Intense salmon pink. Seductive bouquet of cherry, raspberry, strawberry, floral notes and traces of tangerine. Spices and small red berries on the palate, blessed with crisp acidity and a wonderful freshness. A high-class companion to strong Mediterranean starters, light pasta dishes or simply to sociable barbecues with Tuscany-savvy wine friends. SUPERIORE.DE

Medium ruby red. Opens with ripe fruit notes of redcurrants, wild cherries and dried raspberries, then grilled herbs and liquorice in the background. This Rosso is more powerful and opulent than many of its competitors, almost reaching the intensity of a Brunello. Nevertheless, the aromas are more precise than one would expect from a young red wine. The delicate tannin has reached a certain stage of maturity and finds a lively ally in the well-proportioned acidity, which keeps the flavour development going for all eternity. SUPERIORE.DE

IbBianco is a blend of Vermentino and Grechetto and smells wonderfully of candied apricot and peach. Elegance and finesse in the powerful fruity and complex taste, which lasts long and with a certain coolness and pleasant freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

Le Ragnaie's harmonious and graceful Rosso di Montalcino captivates with its multi-layered bouquet of sour cherries and musk, which deepens further with crushed dried roses, minty herbs and a pinch of savoury spice. Silky and smooth on the palate, but its energy and tension remain high throughout. Wild strawberries with sweet tannins continue to build towards the end. The wine is elegant and feminine and finishes classically dry and balanced with mineral notes and a hint of liquorice that linger for a long time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Palish ruby. Lifted sour-cherry and cranberry fruit with an exotic spice note. Elegant, nervy red fruit that dances over the palate." Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino is intense, with a burst of crushed rocks and exotic spice giving way to medicinal black cherries. This is velvety and pliant, with a dense wave of mineral-laden wild berry fruit lifted by brisk acidity. It finishes savory and with tension, leaving a tug of primary concentration to linger. Unlike most 2020s Le Ragnaie has captured much more complexity and depth." Vinous

Light ruby colour. Rich bouquet of red cherry, strawberry, chocolate and violet. Generous and lively on the palate of rhubarb, strawberry cake and sour cherry, the fruit is beautifully concentrated and full. The nobly knitted tannin structure leads this multi-layered and very serious Sangiovese into a charming, mineral finish. Every year, Fuligni produces a wine that is outstanding for the appellation and, in terms of style, is an ingenious crossover between tradition and modernity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium ruby red colour. Seductive and fresh aroma of wild red fruits. Lots of tension and the finest tannins. Beautiful balance between lively fruit and mouth-filling freshness and dry texture. Very long." Jancis Robinson

"The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino Ginestreto is gorgeous, blossoming before my eyes with a heady blend of sweet rose petals, dried black cherries and autumnal spice. Its textures are pure and silky, as a polished wave of ripe red fruits and cooling mineral tones wash across the palate. Rich raspberry and balsamic spice hints linger, and the 2021 finishes crisp and fresh yet still youthfully structured. This is one of the prettiest interpretations of Ginestreto I've experienced, yet that's not to say it's any less powerful." Vinous

"From young vines, barely more than 10 years old, but already of exceptional quality, a red wine aged in wood and steel with a very intense nose, blueberry, then notes of thyme and marjoram, a juicy palate, iodised tannins, a very persistent finish with fruity-balsamic notes." Luca Gardini

Light ruby colour. Rich bouquet of red cherry, strawberry, chocolate and violet. Generous and lively on the palate of rhubarb, strawberry cake and sour cherry, the fruit is beautifully concentrated and full. The nobly knitted tannin structure leads this multi-layered and very serious Sangiovese into a charming, mineral finish. Every year, Fuligni produces a wine that is outstanding for the appellation and, in terms of style, is an ingenious crossover between tradition and modernity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, sparkling ruby red colour. Very open-hearted nose, juicy cherry fruit, geranium, light spice, some watermelon on the finish. Elegant on the palate with polished tannins, savoury, surprising freshness and juiciness, drinks very well." Falstaff

"Light brick red colour. Sweet fruit and sweet oak, but also fragrant with wild flowers and a hint of mocha. Complex flavour. Deep, chewy, firm-grained tannins. Lots of integrity and depth of flavour. It was bottled a few months ago and still needs to mature in the bottle, but has great potential." Jancis Robinson

"The wine has floral highlights, citrusy fruit and a botanical side with bramble and lavender sachet. Those aromas are rounded off by earthy sensations and a mineral pinch of pink Himalayan salt." Wine Advocate

"In contrast to many more powerful, imposing wines from Montalcino, the Fuligni wines unfold with discretion and patience. This is a wonderful introduction to the pure style of the house. The supple, soft fruit of black cherries and strawberries is framed by freshness and soft but structured tannins. Rich and ripe, but still with a real sense of balance. The vineyard is named after the ginestra (broom) that grows on this single hectare of 10- to 15-year-old vines." Decanter

"The 2022 Rosso di Montalcino Ginestreto is beautiful and classic for the house style, with a cascade of dried black cherry, rose petal, clove and spice accompanied by a hint of floral underbrush. The wine is silky and serene, with ripe wild berries and juicy acidity balanced by tactile mineral notes. The finish is long and spicy, leaving you wanting more as the hints of liquorice and cloves fade. Wow." Vinous

Beautiful and very well-balanced red wine from the three main historical areas of Montalcino, which have different geoclimatic characteristics due to their different slopes and altitudes, thus ensuring a unique balance between freshness and structure, body and elegance. Ruby red in colour with garnet hues, it opens immediately with a rich, complex nose. Initially dark cherry, chinotto orange and violet. It then opens up to broader, more complex notes of blueberry, vanilla, tobacco, cinnamon and chocolate with a subtle menthol finish. The primary fruit is surrounded by spice, grilled herbs and floral earth; nice length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour. Cherry and tomato leaf on the nose, then a fine leather flavour. Good freshness and juicy fruit on the palate, shows firm body and pressure, accessible, delicately bitter on the final." Falstaff

"Deep ruby red colour. Compact and dense on the nose with notes of sweet raspberries and fresh mint. Lots of sweet raspberry fruit on the palate with a tangy acid nerve that runs through the fullness of the fruit. Firm but ripe and fine-grained tannins. A fairly rich wine, but one that will probably age well." Jancis Robinson

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino exudes hints of wild berries, violet pastille and sweet smoke. This is a seductive effort with juicy acidity and vibrant red and blue fruits swirling throughout. Autumnal spices and dark chocolate slowly saturate towards the finish. The 2019 finishes long yet remarkably fresh with a hint of liquorice and slightly grippy tannins. The 2019 aims to please and will provide early satisfaction after a short stay in the cellar while the single-vineyard wines slowly mature." Vinous

"The Brunello from the Val di Suga vineyard is made up of equal parts from the Vigna del Lago vineyard in the north-east, Poggio al Granchio in the south-east and Vigna Spuntali in the south-west of Montalcino. The bright ruby red colour and youthful freshness are well preserved. Concentrated aromas of red cherry with a hint of pepper fade into deep violet and sweet earth. The medium-bodied palate is appealing and pure, offering layers of lush red berry and plump persimmon flavours underscored by juicy acidity. The sandy textured tannins are supple and yielding. Hard to resist." Decanter

"This lively red wine is smooth and harmonious, with strawberry, cherry and blackcurrant fruit flavours underpinned by mineral and wild herbal notes. Dusty tannins give it grip and texture on the finish. Excellent length." Wine Spectator

"A blend of three vineyards belonging to three different sides of the appellation. Durone di Vignola on the nose, a hint of lemon thyme and clementine peel. Juicy on the palate, with a hint of savoury and balsamic notes. Persistent." Luca Gardini

Rapace 2021 opens with a medium-dark colour and a beautiful concentration that is not too heavy and not too light. The bouquet offers dark fruits and plums. These primary flavours are framed by sweet spices, cedar wood and tobacco. Delicate oak elements add depth and texture to the wine. It is perfect as an accompaniment from starters to main courses with meat. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine is light on its feet with bright fruit, redcurrant and fresh plum. There is a hint of toasted wood that cedes to spicy cinnamon. Rapace is medium-bodied and easy to pair with your favorite pasta or grilled meat dishes." Wine Advocate

"A bright and juicy, but structured red that shows both lively fruit and a firm tannin structure. Medium-bodied, polished and even, with notes of red berries, walnuts and spices and a mineral aftertaste." James Suckling

Powerful grappa, golden yellow with a very light oak aroma due to a short storage in wooden barrels, whereby the typical fruity character of a young brandy is well preserved. Balanced and with a nice persistence on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

Altesino's Vin Santo presents candied fruit, caramel, toasted almonds, cloves, dried flowers and liquorice in a rich, dark amber colour, supported by a considerable richness that leads to an impeccable, creamy finish. The level of detail, clarity and precision are first class. SUPERIORE.DE

Beautiful and very well-balanced red wine from the three main historical areas of Montalcino, which have different geoclimatic characteristics due to their different slopes and altitudes - and thus ensure a unique balance between freshness and structure, body and elegance.

Ruby red in colour with garnet reflections, opens immediately with a rich, complex nose. Initially dark cherry, chinotto orange and violet. It then opens up to broader, more complex notes of blueberry, vanilla, tobacco, cinnamon and chocolate with a subtle menthol finish. This juicy 2016 Brunello di Montalcino offers plenty of energy and brightness, conveyed by the cherry fruit and wild berry flavours at its core. The primary fruit is surrounded by spice, grilled herbs and floral earth. The natural complexity, purity and depth of the Sangiovese grape comes into its own in this dream vintage and especially in this Brunello. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, noble ruby red colour with a radiant core. Open-hearted and inviting nose, slightly fleshy, with nuances of ripe sour cherries, pepper and raspberries, with an aftertaste of rose hips. Very polished and balanced on the palate, with tightly woven tannins, opens up beautifully on the palate, slightly salty finish." Falstaff

"Deep ruby red colour. Senescent fruit sweetness, beautiful ripe cherry and undergrowth. There is also an obvious oak sweetness on the palate, but there is still a delicacy here, perhaps because the tannins are so fine and relatively light. Elegant, dry, delicate, long, even juicy." Jancis Robinson

"Bringing together grapes from diverse vineyards throughout Montalcino, this midweight, almost-approachable Brunello is focused and vibrant. It takes a bit of coaxing on the nose then divulges sage, orange rind and fennel. Brisk acidity and chalky tannins meet crisp red currant and cranberry, cleansing the palate nicely." Decanter

"The Brunello di Montalcino 2016 has something spicy and slightly rustic about it, which I find very attractive. Baked black cherries, balsamic spice and a hint of animal musk create a beguiling spectacle. The textures are silky smooth, with cooling acids and salty minerals lifting the expression as they give way to tart red fruits. The tannins increase and slowly dry out the senses, but even today the 2016 is a pleasure to drink, coming across as both youthfully structured and savoury and fresh. It is a blend from the vineyards of Val di Suga in Montalcino." Vinous

"Aromas of iron, blood and cherry introduce this soft and lively red wine, while an abundance of dark fruit - black cherry and blackberry - lingers on the palate. The finish is characterised by dark, chocolaty tannins." Wine Spectator

"Dusty notes of crushed gravel and dried tea leaves are the prelude to aromas of fresh mushrooms and hints of fennel. Spicy mushrooms and olives, followed by firm, fine-grained tannins. Structured and full-bodied." James Suckling

Laura Brunelli's Rosso is a blend of Sangiovese grapes from Podernovone - 500 metres above sea level on the south-eastern slope of Montalcino with a south-western exposure - and Canalicchio on the northern side of the village. The vines for the first vineyard were planted in 1998, those for the second in 1989. "Our Rosso is made from the same grapes as the Brunello," says Laura Brunelli. The wine is traditionally aged for a year in large oak barrels. It is extremely fresh every year and not without complexity. The aromas of redcurrants, wild strawberries, black pepper and juniper are followed by a bright bouquet of red fruits on the medium-bodied palate. It has velvety tannins and a refreshing, integrated acidity. A really great interpretation of the terroir and, as every year, a little Brunello. SUPERIORE.DE

"A lively, fruit-driven Rosso with notes of red cherries, berries and some potpourri. Juicy, fresh and fine-boned on the palate, with beautiful acidity and a precise, medium-long finish." James Suckling

"The Rosso di Montalcino 2022 is exotic: blood oranges and cloves mingle with dried black cherries, sage and crushed stones. This flows across the palate, fine and feminine, with lively acidity and soothing ripe red and blue fruits. It leaves a gentle tannic tension and a chewy feel that tapers long and haunting dark." Vinous

"The Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto 2022 Rosso di Montalcino also shows its own distinctive point of richness, adding to a more complex interpretation of this entry-level wine. Dried fruit, cinnamon stick and crushed stone are the markers. I highly recommend this bottle for its balanced fruit flavors and mid-weight texture. I would venture to say that this wine is closer to Brunello status than it is to Rosso di Montalcino." Wine Advocate

The name Deimassi comes from the large stone blocks that make up the terrace wall that supports the vineyard. These were dug out of the ground during the preparatory work for the planting in 2008. The large stones and the friable clay still mark this small parcel of land, originally intended for the production of Brunello di Montalcino, the results of which are now being marketed without the longer ageing period prescribed for Brunello.

Spicy, enveloping and mineral aromas characterise this powerful and rich Sangiovese. In the drink, a great tannic balance with a beautiful fruit core, precise and firm as it goes on. A very harmonious and characterful "little Brunello"." SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby. Brooding and complex but less open than Gauggiole, but with aeration there is this floral lift. Gorgeous richness of fruit and at the same time light on its feet. Gorgeous tannins to bite into." Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino dei Massi is woodsy with nuances of flowery underbrush and giving way to crushed wild berries and grilled herbs. It’s deeply textural, silky in feel, with polished red fruits and inner spice. A coating of fine tannins frames the wine well, as the 2020 leaves notes of currant with mineral underpinnings that linger long. The dei Massi vineyard was planted in 2008 for Brunello production, yet the expression of the vines in this location has provided fruit that is better suited to creating a characterful Rosso." Vinous

"From a stony vineyard with friable clay, this Rosso has the attitude of a Brunello thanks to its bolder character and barrel ageing. 'I wanted to bottle it faster than Brunello regulations allow. What’s the way to do that? Rosso di Montalcino,' explained winemaker, Cecilia Leoneschi. Compared to the estate's other two Rosso bottlings, Deimassi has a more open nose of red and black hedgerow berries. Bigger, bolder and with pronounced acidity, it features delicious fleshy black and red fruit flavours paired with a moreish tightness, balsamic flecks and grippy structure. Well balanced." Decanter

"Here's a second discovery from Castiglion del Bosco. The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino Deimassi is slightly darker in appearance next to its sister, Gauggiole. That added saturation translates to both the bouquet and the palate. The wine delivers bold cherry, redcurrant and citrusy blood orange. A dusting of white pepper also comes through here. It shows medium fruit weight with more tannic structure at the back. Named after rocky "masses" found inside the vineyard, Deimassi is a 1.5-hectare site with rocky clay soils." Wine Advocate

Clear, appetisingly fresh and, due to its soft fruity scent, almost feminine brandy of Brunello marc with a youthful character. Intense, ethereal nose, then harmonious on the palate and, as it progresses, powerful, intense and very long. SUPERIORE.DE