Wines from Tuscany | Montalcino

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 2022 Rosso di Montalcino is exotic, as blood orange and clove mix with dried black cherries, sage and crushed rocks. This flows across the palate, finessed and feminine, with brisk acidity and soothing ripe red and blue fruits. It leaves a gentle tug of tannic tension and a chewy sensation, tapering off long and hauntingly dark." Vinous

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

Beautifully weighted, the 2019 edition is full yet agile with enough structure to carry it over the next decade. Above all, it emphasises the freshness and balance of the vintage: the aromas unfold slowly, but are very floral, with cherry and thyme blossoms underscored by peppery notes. Crisp red plums and juicy cherries dominate the palate, with the youthful, grippy tannins needing a little time to integrate perfectly. SUPERIORE.DE

"It opens with a fruity flavour of red and blue fruits, with spicy notes reminiscent of cinnamon and cardamom. Dense and creamy in the mouth, very juicy, still a little grippy in the tannins, a modern Brunello that should be ready to drink in 1 to 2 years." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red colour. Ripe blackberries, some undergrowth, dried oregano and loam on the nose. Great tension on the palate, juicy, dark fruit, tightly woven tannins and a precise final with pressure." Falstaff

"Deep to dark ruby red in colour. Deep, brooding and backward on the nose, but with real precision. Lots of juicy red fruit and impressive, fine-grained tannins. Still a little embryonic, but already hard to resist. Pure class." Jancis Robinson

"Pure and refined wine with lively raspberries, red cherries, rosehips and a hint of citrus blossom. Medium to full-bodied with firm but silky tannins. Excellent acid backbone. Enjoyable now, but give it another two to three years to develop." James Suckling

"Deep notes of dried black cherries meet cedar shavings and worn leather as the seductive Brunello di Montalcino 2019 slowly unfolds in the glass. It is surprisingly juicy and energising, with a pure blend of red fruits and inner flowers accompanied by fresh acidity. Fine tannins assert themselves on the finish as the 2019 takes on a youthful tension and pinches the cheeks, while tart cranberry notes fade into a youthful, crisp final." Vinous

"The certified organic Col d'Orcia 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows ripe fruit, blackberry, earthy notes, liquorice and, generally speaking, a much bigger and riper fruit profile compared to its peers. It offers a full-bodied Brunello opulence that can be enjoyed in the short or medium term, and the wine delivers flavours of dried fruit such as plum and fig to finish. The tannins are velvety and contribute to the richness of the rather forward and immediate mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 is immediately inviting and expressive. It seduces with lovely tones of red rose, cherry and sweet thyme. Expansive and spacious, the palate unfolds fluidly with layers of delicious red plum and pomegranate. Hibiscus, rosewater and orange hide in every crevice. A brilliant demonstration of the flavourful juiciness of Sangiovese. Deceptively gentle at the start, fine sandy tannins build in a worthy crescendo." Decanter

"This densely packed version is resonant and persistent, with fine integration of all its components, though today it is compact and austere, revealing flavours of cherry, raspberry, rose, earth and minerals. Give it the benefit of the doubt." Wine Spectator

"Notes of marasca, geranium and eucalyptus on the nose. Juicy tannins on the palate, balsamic and floral notes, compact flavour and crispness." Luca Gardini

Deep ruby red colour, lush notes of cherries, strawberries and sweet oak spice, vanilla and black pepper. The Sangiovese gives the blend great freshness and is in perfect balance with the silky and soft tannins of the Merlot. Overall rich, but always elegant and with great persistence. A complex, excellently structured red of absolute Supertuscan quality. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto 2020 Amor Costante is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Sangiovese and offers a lovely richness with a medium body interwoven with blackberry, wild plum, spice and sweet tobacco. The softness and texture come from the Merlot, while the Sangiovese provides freshness and fresh cherry flavours. Only 2,360 bottles were produced." Wine Advocate

"The 2020 Amor Costante keeps the glass swirling as dried violets, stone dust and exotic spices accentuate an enticing blend of wild berries and red plums. This is velvety smooth with medium-bodied weight, ushering in textural waves of red and blue fruits offset by sour citrus tones and saline-tinged acidity. It finishes long and structured with fine-grained tannins and a tart resonance of currants and licorice, yet the 2020 remains surprisingly fresh through it all. Patience will be required, yet also rewarded. What a treat." Vinous

Valdicavas Rosso impresses with its expansive bouquet of sour cherries, dark forest fruits and spicy notes. Well-structured and plenty of juicy tannins in the flavour, with a very impressive finish. A little Brunello! SUPERIORE.DE

Here is a big, rich Rosso that is harmonious and impressive in all its components. The bouquet alternates between dried cherries and a fine tobacco note. The palate is taut and precise, in the style of the house, its body is supported by powerful tannins that make it an ideal and refined accompaniment to Tuscan cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant dark ruby colour with a delicate garnet-red rim. Memorable nose of juicy cherry, with medicinal notes and some leather. Soft and supple on the palate, sweet and fruity with firm tannins and above-average length." Falstaff

"The Rosso di Montalcino 2022 is exotic. The bouquet leaps from the glass, blending medicinal cherries, mint, pine and blood orange. Seamless and silky, it soothes the senses with its soft textures of opulent ripe fruit balanced by a tactile minerality. The residual acidity gives it an amazing, juicy freshness on the finish, while the 2022 finishes gently tannic, powerful and long. It's very different from a typical Le Potazzine, ripe and intense, but I still love it." Vinous

"It’s a notably firm, earthy and serious style, with dark, balsamic-tinged fruit, bran, sundried tomato and powerful tannins that need a year or two to soften. No hurry to drink this." Decanter

The 2019 vintage leaves no doubt about its origin from a top vintage in Montalcino. The fruit for Poggio Landis Brunello is harvested at altitudes of 200 to 300 metres above sea level. Interesting aromas of wild cherry, plum and crushed flowers. Taut, polished yet traditional character on the palate. It fits perfectly into the house style, which favours an elegant and less extract-rich approach. A highly sophisticated charmer across the board. SUPERIORE.DE

"This slender red wine offers a core of cherry and strawberry fruit interspersed with earth, tobacco and mineral accents. Stiff tannins take the lead on the chewy finish." Wine Spectator

"The Poggio Landi 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has a hint of teak or Indian furniture shop, which gives this wine a slightly exotic personality. To this I would add dark fruits, dried currants and sweet blueberries. It finishes with medium fruit weight and open knit tannins that give the wine accessibility." Wine Advocate

On the classic bouquet, ripe cherry, tobacco and some damp earth. On the palate, first the pure Sangiovese feeling: beautiful small red berries, wild cherry, lively acidity. Then an impenetrable mesh of red and black fruits, which together with a fine web of tannins and minerals reveal more and more of themselves. Compressed and with each sip more open and present, the beautifully diversified taste components present themselves until they then lead into an aristocratically long and fresh finish with a hint of liquorice. SUPERIORE.DE

"Somewhat woody, also dried-vegetable to herbal and earthy, with air increasingly preserved-fruity scent of mixed berries and a little plums with cedary hints. Quite firm, positively implied marmalade-like fruit with more red components than on the nose, smoky and wood spice aromas, quite present, ripe, relatively friable tannin, some bite, ethereal spice on the palate, salty-mineral, persistent, a little herbal, gaining depth with air, very good, juicy and spicy finish with bite." Wein-Plus

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte is unobtrusive, bright and delicate in the glass, with white pepper, beautiful rose and nuances of dried strawberries. It coats the palate with soft textures and soothing ripe red fruits contrasted with savoury spices and inner herbal notes. The 2018 lingers long, showing balsamic nuances and salty liquorice, while gentle tannins do not slow down the momentum. It will be interesting to follow this understated beauty through to maturity." Vinous

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte shows medium-dark concentration and a savoury character with black spices, saddle leather and some distant hints of cured meat. I always associate Ugolforte with a more modern style of wine that brings spices, ripe fruit and soft tannins to the fore. This vintage offers all these qualities with a soft and approachable mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

"This red wine features aromas and flavours of cherry, plum, thyme, sage and clay. Lively and firmly structured, with a salty undercurrent. An open wine with beautiful balance, fine energy and a long, resonant finish." Wine Spectator

"Excellent interpretation of the 2018 vintage from Tenuta San Giorgio, the last estate acquired by the ColleMassari group. We are in the south-eastern area of Montalcino, starting from a raw material of great crispness. Notes of blackcurrant on the nose, then laurel lashes and hints of blood orange peel. Iodine tannins on the palate, with a fruity finish." Luca Gardini

Deep ruby red colour, lush notes of cherries, strawberries and sweet oak spice, vanilla and black pepper. The Sangiovese gives the blend great freshness and is in perfect balance with the silky and soft tannins of the Merlot. Overall rich, but always elegant and with great persistence. A complex, excellently structured red wine in absolute Super Tuscan quality and produced in a very small edition of just under 3,000 bottles. SUPERIORE.DE

"A round, juicy and flavorful red. The nose shows notes of currants, cassis and some sweet spices. It’s medium- to full-bodied with fine tannins. Refined texture with control. A lively core of juicy berries at the center meets vivid spices and herbs funneling toward the vibrant finish." James Suckling

Moscadello was originally the first wine from the Montalcino appellation, long before the triumphant rise of Brunello. Mastrojanni's Moscadello di Montalcino is a blend of late harvested Moscato, Malvasia di Candia and Sauvignon Bianco. The wine matures for two years in barriques and tonneaux. Intensely fragrant bouquet with plenty of power and character, aromas of candied fruit, honey and brown sugar. These notes are reproduced with every sip with impressively brilliant precision and astonishing freshness. This rare wine (only 1,300 bottles were filled) matures for two years in barriques and tonneaux and is traditionally enjoyed instead of a dessert or with cantuccini. Very delicate. SUPERIORE.DE

Beautifully matured Cabernet Sauvignon that underlines its rich, fleshy fruit with graphite and liquorice aromas. Its broad, full and balanced flavour, polished tannins and fruity, elegant style build up to a long, balsamic finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, bright ruby red with a brightening rim. Rich pepper, cassis, cranberry, leather and undergrowth on the nose. Hearty and impetuous on the palate, stretches very powerfully over the tongue, gripping, with a rich pressure, balsamic touch and minimal dryness in the finish." Falstaff

"A vibrant, concentrated red, offering black cherry, black currant, iron, tobacco and spice aromas and flavors. Though dense, this is also fluid, with excellent balance and length." Wine Spectator

"Olmaia has developed into a brand in its own right. The wine emphasises the potential of Cabernet Sauvignon in this part of Tuscany, an area where Sangiovese is grown almost exclusively. The 2016 Sant'Antimo Cabernet Olmaia reminds us of the importance of diversity in a monoculture, which allows us to better understand the potential of a growing area. This wine has a dark colour and a dense concentration of colour. It is certainly broad and full-bodied, but it transcends the senses with nuanced grace. Black and purple fruits segue into earthy tobacco, cured leather and dark spices. These flavours are particularly finely tuned in this classic vintage." Wine Advocate

Piandorino, the "entry-level wine" from Pian dell'Orino, represents its noble origins with great class. Light, bright ruby red in colour, with a beautiful bouquet of dark cherry, fresh plum, peppery notes and delicate vanilla tones. Juicy fruit on the palate, accompanied by a flattering woody note, finely balanced tannins and good length. This wine is fine and beautifully delicate on the finish. The grapes for Piandorino come from the estate's younger Brunello vines and around 3,000 bottles are produced each year. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright crystal clear grappa with subtle berry scent, notes of pomace spice and floral hints. Dry and well balanced on the palate, elegant, rich, with a hint of pepper, very classic. SUPERIORE.DE

Lemartine shines in a stunningly beautiful red. Dark fruit aromas, pomegranate and cinnamon emanate from its dense, expressive bouquet and continue full-bodied on the palate. Refined opulence and a supertuscan in pure culture! SUPERIORE.DE

"Raspberry, blackberry, chestnut, mushroom and earth on the nose. Full-bodied with chewy tannins. Structured with a chalky texture in the mouth and a long, flavorful finish." James Suckling

La Quinta is the fresher, lighter but no less elegant version of Carlo Ferrini's Sangiovese interpretation. The purist beauty of small red fruits, including raspberry and summer cherry, combined with floral undertones, pepper and a hint of Mediterranean maquis combine to create a cool, aristocratic Rosso that expresses the star Oenologist's signature like no other! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright and lively on the palate, such beautifully expressed fruit flavours of raspberries and red cherries alongside a bright acidity that is so clean and precise. Joyful expression with hints of caramelised strawberries and fresh mint. So sharp but so well defined with a clarity on the palate that is beautiful. Not totally complex but a balanced, easy to enjoy wine with lots of life." Decanter

"The Giodo 2021 La Quinta, whose Sangiovese comes from the winery's younger vines, is bold and bright with cherry jam, raspberry syrup and tart aromas of blood orange and nectarine. The wine is easy to drink, with overt fruit and a reassuringly transparent personality. The finish is lean and fresh." Wine Advocate

"Beautiful sweet berries and plums with some cherries. Fir tree and other forest notes. Medium to full body. Round tannins and fresh acidity. Tangy and lively. Delicious right now, but it will age nicely." James Suckling

"Bright, elegant ruby red with a gently lightening rim. Fragrant, inviting nose of juicy cherries, rose hips, in addition fine noble spice, oranges, floral touch, dried violet, in the reverberation again on cherry juice. Exciting and juicy on the palate on entry, with dancing fruit and acidity, shows a nice arch to it, hearty and approachable, great Sangiovese!" Falstaff

"Smells intensely of stone fruit and fresh berries, flanked by herbal and sandalwood aromas; rich in tannins and mineral on the palate, the finish ells out on notes of wild berries, flowers and spices. Full-bodied yet with finesse." Vinum