Today, together with many other national and international colleagues, I had the chance to taste the 2017 vintage and the 2016 riserva Brunellos. Thanks to the diligence of the Consortium Brunello di Montalcino, the tastings took place in-person in the heart of Montalcino village in the beautiful Monastery of Sant’Agostino.
Following safe protocols, the capacity of participants was extremely limited and ensured proper distance between persons. All journalists and writers were called to taste and evaluate the last vintages released on the market: Rosso di Montalcino 2020 and 2019, Brunello di Montalcino 2017, and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016. We can say that the 30th edition of Benvenuto Brunello will surely remain a memory of each participant’s mind, not only for the outstanding organization that the consortium put on stage but also for the combination of two remarkable vintages. The two years of 2017 and 2016 riserva have given the vine different but exceptional conditions to produce wines of good quality.
Tasting report of Benvenuto Brunello preview November 2021
Having spent only a day at the event, I concentrated myself on tasting the majority of Brunello di Montalcino 2017 and Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Riserva.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017 (119 wines reviewed)
On my radar:
Capanna di Cencioni – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Deep ruby core, paler on the hedge. The nose shows beautiful flavour of red fruit, spicy with a hint of mint. Juicy palate with good acidity, discrete alcohol level and soft tannins. Fragrant and long. I like this wine !
San Polo – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Bright with a deep ruby core. Pronounced flavour of ripe plum with scents of new leather. Full body with lots of red fruit in the center palate with smoky scents on the back. It expresses harmony with velvety tannins and long, fresh finish. Lovely wine.
Fattoi – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Intense ruby red colour with paler reflections. Intense flavour of black cherry and liquorice with overtones of lavender and new leather. Fragrant entrance with discrete alcohol and ripe fruit. Sweet, velvety tannins and quite long aftertaste. Harmonious, good wine..
Col di Lamo – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Brilliant and clean. It shows a lovely bouquet of ripe plum, violet and chocolate with a hint of tobacco. Full body with lively acidity well integrated with rich red fruit. Silky tannins with elegant finish. Great wine.
Le Chiuse – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Garnet red with a paler tinge. It displays intense flavour of dark cherry with light earthy overtones. Juicy and vibrant with a medium-bodied palate, firm tannins with light smoky hint at the end. I have really appreciated this wine.
Casanova di Neri – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Deep ruby red with paler reflections. Complex nose with flavour of dark cherry and prune. Fragrant, juicy palate with present acidity. Discrete alcohol level and soft tannins. Long finish. Delicious wine !
La Gerla – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
Colour ranging from ruby core to light garnet rim. Pronounced bouquet of cherry with overtones of blackberry and chocolate. Good structure with firm, velvety tannins and long length. I like it !
Corte Pavone – Brunello di Montalcino 2017
The colour is deep ruby with a compact rim. Pronounced intensity of ripe red fruit mixed with notes of chocolate and tobacco. Full body wine with good freshness. Present delicate tannins and quite long aftertaste. Great wine.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 Riserva (57 wines reviewed)
On my radar:
Fattoria dei Barbi – Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Riserva
Deep garnet core with ruby tinge. Intense bouquet of black cherry and prune with a note of rhubarb. Good structure with medium-plus acidity, medium alcohol and leather overtones. Soft tannins, well integrated with the fruit. Great wine.
Ventolaio – Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Riserva
Medium garnet core, paler towards the edge. The wine displays intense flavour of cherry, balsamic overtones and light earthy notes. The palate expresses ripe red cherry, blackberries with a hint of vanilla. Good acidity, firm tannins and medium finish. I like it.
Talenti – Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Riserva
Ruby core with violet hues. Pronounced intensity of ripe red fruit mixed with notes of chocolate, rhubarb and tobacco. A dry, full body wine with good acidity, well balanced structure and medium ripe tannins. Elegant.
Montalcino and the villages of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, Sant’Angelo, and Torrenieri are picturesque hamlets included in the Docg Brunello di Montalcino wine area. This area comprises 24,000 hectares, of which a mere 15% is under vine. The zone is roughly a square bordered by the rivers Ombrone, Asso, and Orcia. The soils of Montalcino vary, due to its formation over different geological ages. The lowest areas are made up of relatively loose soils. As one moves up the hill, the soil becomes dense with stony particles formed by the decomposition of the original marl and limestone. As the crow flies, Montalcino is 40 km away from the sea and 100 km from the Apennines. It boasts a Mediterranean climate: it tends to be dry, but has occasional continental conditions, given its position between the coast and the mountains. Precipitation occurs mostly in spring and late autumn (yearly average rainfall: 700 mm). Snow is possible during winter at heights above 400 meters. Fog, ice, and late frost are rare on the hillside, in part due to the wind, which provides an optimal habitat for the healthy growth of the vines. Mount Amiata to the South, at 1740 meters, protects the territory of Montalcino from weather hazards like storms and hail. The territory is of particular historical character, having never lost touch with the cultural heritage and traditions.
