Tuscany

Montalcino

Tuscany covers an incredibly large area of Italian. Many kick-off with Chianti and Chianti Classico. Head a little further South and you’ll discover Montalcino home to Brunello di Montalcino.

Made from Sangiovese, specifically the Sangiove Grosso Clone, Brunello can reach epic heights.

The Consorzio di Brunello di Montalcino classifies wines into 3 groups from bottom to top we have 1st Rosso di Montalcino, 2nd Brunello di Montalcino, and, last Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. The usual array of restrictions around yield, time in wood, and, total time ageing before release including time in bottle apply.

It’s most unusual in the determination of Rosso vs Brunello vs Riserva. Often the difference between a Rosso and a Brunello is bunch selection along a row of the same vineyard. From a Brunello to a Brunello Riserva it may simply be a barrel that looked better and was then aged for a further year.

The better producers tend to have specific sites for Rosso vs Brunello and are more likely to declassify Brunello into Rosso than the other way around.

An incredible proportion of the Montalcino can be classified as Brunello di Montalcino. Unfortunately, this is not simply for reasons of quality. There is an abundance of underperforming vineyards and wineries.

Hopefully, over time a more detailed classification with an emphasis on quality will be established.

Combining these two factors makes it even more important to know your producers!

This, too, has been the reason for some exceptional producers choosing not to maintain membership of the Consorzio, simply classifying their wines as IGT. One of the more basic classification.

Far and away the best example of this is Soldera make of one of the very best Sangiovese’s in Montalcino, in reality, one of the very best wines in the World! One of the most stunning incarnation of Sangiovese on the planet, you would be forgiven for thinking you were drinking an exceptionally good bottle of Grand Cru Burgundy!

Like many Italian regions use of oak can be a defining factor between success and meh! Those using large, often, older oak typically have a better chance of success.

The lesson here is the same one we preach for most regions, know your producers and know your sites!


2019 Rosso di Montalcino


2019 Brunellos are just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to brush up on the vintage looking at a 2019 Rosso or 2.

Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

The perfect introduction Canalicchio known for producing elegant, fine, Burgundian Brunello. A Top 10 producer year in, year out! Looking good, lovely shape and mouthfeel. Red fruits fresh red sour cherry, of mid-body that sit with a pinch of baking spice and hard woody herbs. Flavour with a refreshing weightless feel. A little something dark along the licorice line. Plush long fine. A fantastic Rosso. The Canalicchio di Sopra 2019 Rosso di Montalcino is a balanced wine with pretty purity
$68
$65ea in any 3+
$62ea in any 6+
Rosso doing it right! Fuligni's 'Ginestreto' is beautifully poised. Ever so devourable this is classic Sangio! Excellent. True to the Fuligni style, perhaps with an extra bit of complexity for the wine at this stage of its life. A wonderful core of fruit. This is more in the mold of a baby Brunello than a playful Rosso. Plush, with fine tannins, generous mid-palate and great length. The build in complexity with layers of intrigue, from earthy almost truffled pops. Long delicious. Plump and vital
$88
$85ea in any 3+
$82ea in any 6+

Gorelli Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

Speller is on the money, this is still closed (April 2023). Builds with time in the glass, the fruit leans toward the fine Burgundian style. The tannins are just a little edgy, as with the Brunello, as the new Botti season future vintages should see further refinement to the texture.  This clearly sits in between the Rosso & Brunello level. I like the cranberry descriptor and would add a musk and rose top note. A few years in bottle should see the tannins resolve fully and mid-palate weight
$107
$102ea in any 3+
$97ea in any 6+
A True Baby Brunello!

Conti Costanti Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

A pretty handy Rosso resting a small step away from heading into the next league. This needs time by the 4th and 5th day the full potential of this Baby Brunello was on full display. Dark cherry, fresh blackberry fruit with an earthy feel, a little dried orange peel, plush long tannins. Layered in spices rolling through, exceptional length and depth. There's been a bump in price here, if I were to taste it blind I would say it was excellent value. Comparative youth aside in a couple of years if
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+

Poggio di Sotto Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

Shavings of cedar, blood orange, crushed cherries, dried flowers and stone dust form a mesmerizing bouquet as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino slowly opens in the glass. There are depths of ripe textural fruits here, offset by zesty spices and bright acidity that sweeten the expression while energizing it as well. A web of fine tannins coats the palate through the finish, coupled with a core of primary concentration and sweet inner florals that seem to never truly fade. What a glorious achievement f
$260
$245ea in any 3+
$230ea in any 6+

Poggio di Sotto


Filters & Sorting

Showing 29 Delicious Wines!

Canalicchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

The perfect introduction Canalicchio known for producing elegant, fine, Burgundian Brunello. A Top 10 producer year in, year out! Looking good, lovely shape and mouthfeel. Red fruits fresh red sour cherry, of mid-body that sit with a pinch of baking spice and hard woody herbs. Flavour with a refreshing weightless feel. A little something dark along the licorice line. Plush long fine. A fantastic Rosso. The Canalicchio di Sopra 2019 Rosso di Montalcino is a balanced wine with pretty purity
$68
$65ea in any 3+
$62ea in any 6+
Rosso doing it right! Fuligni's 'Ginestreto' is beautifully poised. Ever so devourable this is classic Sangio! Excellent. True to the Fuligni style, perhaps with an extra bit of complexity for the wine at this stage of its life. A wonderful core of fruit. This is more in the mold of a baby Brunello than a playful Rosso. Plush, with fine tannins, generous mid-palate and great length. The build in complexity with layers of intrigue, from earthy almost truffled pops. Long delicious. Plump and vital
$88
$85ea in any 3+
$82ea in any 6+

Gorelli Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

Speller is on the money, this is still closed (April 2023). Builds with time in the glass, the fruit leans toward the fine Burgundian style. The tannins are just a little edgy, as with the Brunello, as the new Botti season future vintages should see further refinement to the texture.  This clearly sits in between the Rosso & Brunello level. I like the cranberry descriptor and would add a musk and rose top note. A few years in bottle should see the tannins resolve fully and mid-palate weight
$107
$102ea in any 3+
$97ea in any 6+
A True Baby Brunello!

Conti Costanti Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

A pretty handy Rosso resting a small step away from heading into the next league. This needs time by the 4th and 5th day the full potential of this Baby Brunello was on full display. Dark cherry, fresh blackberry fruit with an earthy feel, a little dried orange peel, plush long tannins. Layered in spices rolling through, exceptional length and depth. There's been a bump in price here, if I were to taste it blind I would say it was excellent value. Comparative youth aside in a couple of years if
$108
$103ea in any 3+
$98ea in any 6+
A Brunello in all but name ... and, a bloody good one at that! A bold Rosso, more than a baby Brunello. Much more delicious than many a Brunello on the market. There is something quite serious happening here. Dark fruited with incredible depth and length. Although the intensity in its youth is palpable, the harmony and balance here signal that as it shifts to the next phase of development it will give much, much more. It is already incredibly complex, and, layered, dark mulberry and cherry,
$135
$130ea in any 3+
$125ea in any 6+

Voliero Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

The sister to the Uccelliera brother, same winery, same maker, different fruit, and personality! Many who have tasted both the Uccelliera and Voliero Brunello over a number of years remark that they prefer the Uccelliera in the cooler years, and the Voliero in the bolder years. 2016 has somehow managed to make the choice a little harder. Give this just a little time to acclimatise to the world outside the bottle and you'll be great with welcoming arms. Voliero's 2016 Brunello has wonderful sh
$135
$128ea in any 3+
$121ea in any 6+

Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

Power & elegance from an unbeatable vintage! Another phenomenal vintage gives us an elegant and powerful Brunello with the promise of more to come; it's tense, brooding, waiting to explode. All of the elements but time are in place and ready to perform. Even after a short moment in the glass it starts to reveal where it is going as the fruit pokes its head out to play. What appears to be the hallmarks of Podere Brizio - freshness, beautifully weighted fruit and long, linear, layered tannins - ar
$157
$152ea in any 3+
$147ea in any 6+

Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 2015

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

When you hear of the estates Andrea has helped establish it makes sense that his own vineyards should kick out some tasty vino! When you hear of the estates Andrea has helped establish it makes sense that his own vineyards should kick out some tasty vino. The list: Poggio di Sotto, there’s La Torre, Poggio degli Ulivi, Mastrojanni, Tenuta di Sesta and Collosorbo, Sesta di Sopra, Podere Salicutti, and of course Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona. Tasting Andrea's Brunello for the first time saw
$160
$153ea in any 3+
$146ea in any 6+

Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

When you hear of the estates Andrea has helped establish it makes sense that his own vineyards should kick out some tasty vino! When you hear of the estates Andrea has helped establish it makes sense that his own vineyards should kick out some tasty vino. The list: Poggio di Sotto, there’s La Torre, Poggio degli Ulivi, Mastrojanni, Tenuta di Sesta and Collosorbo, Sesta di Sopra, Podere Salicutti, and of course Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona. Tasting Andrea's Brunello for the first time saw
$163
$156ea in any 3+
$149ea in any 6+

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

This would have to be the single best value Brunello I've tried in the last few years. Well, well, here's something quite delicious. Straight out of the gate this is just beautiful. The harmony and complexity match a plush, fine mouthfeel of divine tannins. Generosity meets restraint in a beautiful place. Layered with red fruits, darker fruits, a little perfume over earthiness, baking spices, woody herbs, and much, much more. This would have to be the single best value Brunello I've tried in
$165
$160ea in any 3+
$155ea in any 6+

Poggio di Sotto Rosso di Montalcino 2018

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is a perfumed and feminine effort, blossoming in the glass to show dusty roses and violets with bright cherry and strawberry fruits. Hints of cedar and flowery undergrowth come forward over time to complete the expression. It’s silky in feel and energetic with mineral-laced, ripe red berries, spice and inner florals motivated by juicy acids. Licorice and a sweet and sour twang of wild berries linger, along with a gentle coating of fine tannin that is only felt towa
$200
$190ea in any 3+
$180ea in any 6+

Poggio di Sotto Rosso di Montalcino 2020

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

About Poggio di Sotto Established in 1989, Poggio di Sotto is known in Montalcino for its unique ecological niche of old Sangiovese vineyards (more than 50 years old). Together with the University of Florence 120 unique biotypes of Sangiovese were discovered. This biodiversity is the cornerstone of the unique brightness and complexity that is found […]
$230
$215ea in any 3+
$200ea in any 6+

Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a spice box, bursting from the glass with a tour de force of cloves, cinnamon sticks, mint, lavender, dried strawberries and freshly sliced vanilla bean. For all of its extroverted character on the nose, this is a delicate beauty on the palate, cool-toned and finessed, with violet-tinged red berries and exotic spice motivated by brisk acidity. It conveys a pleasant staining of fine tannins that lingers long, yet the character is only lightly structured and tape
$240
$230ea in any 3+
$220ea in any 6+

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

The Fuligni 2018 Brunello di Montalcino stands out for its smooth integration of aromas and the carefully balanced intensity achieved here, which shows momentum but also remains very fine and nuanced. There are many sides to the bouquet with wild fruit, cassis, crushed stone, candied orange and fresh herbs or rosemary. A floral note also appears that suggests rose or iris root. The tannins are very well managed and silky. You hardly feel them, yet the wine offers firm structure throughout. This
$240
$230ea in any 3+
$220ea in any 6+

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Sangiovese | Montalcino, Italy

The Fuligni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful wine, and it shines a much-deserved spotlight on one of the most consistent estates in Montalcino. It is bright and luminous with a dark ruby shine. The bouquet reveals deeply layered tones of red cherry, wild berry, rose, earth and candied violets. Give the wine an extra twirl or two, and you get some rosemary and lavender. Soft dusty mineral and limestone also appear. I'd definitely put this bottle on a short list of the most recommended b
$260
$250ea in any 3+
$240ea in any 6+
Intoxicating! 🌹

Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Sangiovese | Tuscany, Italy

It just invites you in! This is what wine is about! There’s a sensuality to Costanti's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s something about the way it draws you in and warms the soul. Its bouquet straddles both the light and dark sides of Sangiovese, rising up with alluring flowery perfumes, cedar dust and crushed cherry, yet then swaying toward rich brown spices and clove. The textures are velvety-smooth and elegant, ushering in a dense core of fleshy red berry fruits, which leave a coating of
$260
$250ea in any 3+
$240ea in any 6+