2019 Brunello di Montalcino

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. The wines for this report were tasted with Laura Brunelli at her estate, overlooking the southern vineyards of the region from the Podernovone property where the winery is located. Since her husband Gianni passed away in 2008, Laura has continued to raise the bar for what is possible in the region at large. She farms two areas: the historic property of Le Chiuse di Sotto in the Northeast, which is a 5-hectare property with two hectares dedicated to vines, as well as Podernovone, which consists of 4.5 hectares and four vineyards – Olmo, Oliva, Quercia, and Gelso. In addition to Sangiovese, they also work with Merlot planted at Podernovone. She is meticulous in the vineyard, working with small yields. After a slow maceration process, the wines are raised in 5- to 30-hectoliter barrels made from Slavonian oak. If traveling through Siena, her restaurant, l’Osteria delle Logge, is a must stop for lunch or dinner. It should be no surprise that the wine list is exceptional and full of Tuscan gems, while the cuisine is top-notch. They offer Tuscan classics with modern refinement, and the hospitality is second to none.