Brunello di Montalcino
Wine from Montalcino was only appreciated and understood by locals as recently as the 70's, even though its warm dry climate has much in common with its famous Tuscan cousin, Chianti. However pioneering work from Clemente Santi with various clones of Sangiovese led to what was labelled Brunello di Montalcino. Changes in strict laws have allowed this region to react better to modern trends, reducing mandatory oak ageing from 4 to 2 years. As with Chianti small amount of foreign grapes can now be including within blends.
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Brunello di Montalcino
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Kerin O'Keefe (99)
Perfumed berry, pine forest, new leather and violet aromas mingle with enticing scents of vineyard dust that segue into underbrush and nutmeg. Linear, lithe and all about elegance, the savory palate has great energy that lifts juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry, star anise and tangy saline notes that linger on the close. Tight but refined tannins and vibrant acidity keep it youthfully tense and impeccably balanced. Those who love power and might could be surprised by its almost ethereal quality, but lovers of finesse, depth and balance will swoon in delight.HK$4,685.00 -
Decanter (100)
I remember tasting Costanti’s 2019 Rosso di Montalcino in 2021 and thinking how Brunello-esque it was: the sturdy structure was almost uncharacteristic, yet it certainly boded well for the Brunello. Simply gloriously sculpted, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is indeed statuesque and stately. While it doesn’t give everything up all at once, it is gracious in its presentation. From chestnut forest and sweet earth, to anise and orange extract, the aromas are visceral, and boundless depths of wild red berries suffuse the palate. It vibrates with scintillating acidity and long, tactile tannins which stretch out leisurely. I bet that Rosso has hit its stride now – if you have some, it’s what you'll want to drink while waiting for this captivatingly beautiful Brunello. I can't help but imagine what next year’s Riserva release has in store.HK$5,390.00 -
Vinous (98)
Vivid deep red. Musky, deep, mineral-tinged aromas of red cherry, violet and crystallized orange peel. Sweet, lush and packed with red fruit, blood orange nectar and savory underbrush flavors; a step up in sheer size from Costanti’s 2013 Brunello. At once powerful and refined, this seriously saturates the palate with flavor, vibrant minerality and noble tannins. This is everything a great Brunello ought to be.HK$10,325.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, forest floor, rose and wild mint shape the enticing nose. Elegantly structured and full of flavor, the linear, focused palate delivers mature Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and tobacco set against a backbone of refined tannins. Drink 2023 though 2035.HK$3,200.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, forest floor, rose and wild mint shape the enticing nose. Elegantly structured and full of flavor, the linear, focused palate delivers mature Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and tobacco set against a backbone of refined tannins. Drink 2023 though 2035.HK$9,040.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (100)
This perfumed wine opens with layers of scents, including violet, woodland berries, new leather, forest floor and warm spices. Smooth and elegantly structured, the savory palate boasts juicy black-skinned berry, blood orange, licorice, tobacco and the barest hint of coffee bean alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. Drink 2026–2046.HK$4,460.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is very pretty, showing musky, bright cherry, dried roses and savory spice. There’s remarkable purity here, with soft textures giving way to tart wild berry fruit complemented by zesty acids. It’s dry and lightly structured throughout the finale with lasting inner florals and a twang of sour citrus. This is far from your typical Rosso. The Costanti Rosso is a barrel selection that matures for one year in a combination of 60% tonneaux and 40% new 35-40 hectoliter barrels.HK$1,800.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Vermiglio is a bombshell beauty, with a bright bouquet of dried strawberries, crushed rose petals, shaved cedar, cinnamon spice and sweet smoke. It’s deeply textural, almost fleshy in feel, yet kept in line by vibrant acidity, as masses of black cherry and raspberry fruit envelope the palate. This totally harmonious Rosso finishes with a classic tug of fine tannins, along with nuances of sour citrus, inner earth and lavender tones. It embodies, without a doubt, the term “Baby Brunello.” The Vermiglio hasn’t been produced since 2013, it’s a barrel selection of Rosso that Costanti matures for two years, instead of one, in cask. Only 4,000 bottles were produced.HK$2,925.00 -
James Suckling (97)
This has an unwonted, intensely floral note of eucalyptus and tee tree oil, which makes it immediately recognizable against other 2015 Brunellos. Besides that, there are ripe rose stems and dried lavender. It has a racy core of boisterous berries that dive inwards and outwards of firm, structured tannins. The juxtaposition of steely resolve and intense florals are quite remarkable. Very classy. Drink from 2025.HK$3,200.00 -
HK$5,130.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
Softer for sure compared to the 2016 wines, and more abundant in personality, the Cortonesi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Mannella is very expressive of the sunny, warm and luminous growing season. Rich fruit flavors of dark plum, black cherry and cassis are interwoven with spice, sweet tobacco and balsam herb. This wine is fermented in steel for 25 days and is then racked into oak for a long 48-months élevage. This wine is only made in the best years, and it draws its fruit from the estate's oldest vines, which are 37 years old. A mere 3,658 bottles were made. The tannins are a bit bitter and youthful, so give this wine more cellar time.HK$4,215.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella shows dark fruit with dried cherry, blackcurrant and plum. On a second wave of aromas, you encounter softer spice with toasted almond, tilled earth and grilled herb. This is a classic expression of the crisp but sunny 2016 vintage with an open and food-friendly personality. There is a playful touch of sweet cherry on the close. Fruit is sourced from the La Mannella zone, one of the coolest growing areas in the appellation at moderate 350 meters above sea level. Winemaking is traditional, using 30-hectoliter Slavonian oak for three years of slow aging, and this reinforces all those fun berry notes on display in the 25,000-bottle release.HK$2,480.00 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Poggiarelli draws its fruit from a vineyard planted in the 1970s and replanted in part during the 1990s. Its fruit has made this designate wine since 1998, and like many of the Selezioni (and the Brunello cru expressions), this wine shows a pretty mineral character that lifts above the bright red fruit. It's absolutely true that these special sections from Montalcino are always recognized by their terrain or soil-adjacent aromas. In this case, I can smell those flinty or gravel-like tones from the schistous Galestro rocks. That special aromatic signature is followed by dark fruit and balsam herb, firm tannins and bright acidity. This is a limited 4,000-bottle release.HK$2,910.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles with a bright mix of confectionary cherry, candied citrus and exotic spice forming its sweetly seductive bouquet. This smooths over the palate with total elegance, velvety yet refined, with masses of ripe black cherry complemented by sweet herbs and hints of dark chocolate. It finishes with a coating of silky-fine tannins that lingers, more of an accent than an obstacle, as the 2018 tapers off with nuances of spiced orange and clove. Cupano has produced an incredibly beautiful interpretation of the vintage, which does show a bit of its new-oak influence, but with style.HK$5,650.00 -
Vinous (93)
Bright red. Violet, herbs and faded flowers on the fragrant nose. The red cherry, licorice and orange peel flavors show good inner-mouth perfume and a youthfully chewy quality, plus a subtle hint of leather at the back that adds complexity. Strikes me as being the best entry-level Brunello from Tiezzi in years.HK$2,035.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Soccorso from Tiezzi boasts an extroverted display of ripe blackberry complemented by notes of dried orange, minty herbs, tobacco and finally hints of mocha. It’s texturally deep and layered, ushering in wave after wave of ripe black cherries and plums contrasted by zesty acids and hints of sour citrus. Its tannins steadily build throughout the experience, sneaking up on you while drying out the 2016’s fruits and creating a clenching feel on the palate under an air of violet florals and hints of tobacco. It’s a dark, large-scaled and beastly expression of Brunello, but it is sure to have its fans.HK$2,330.00 -
Savour the distinguished Falesco Montiano Lazio 2018, a sublime symphony culminating from the fruitful vineyards of Lazio, Italy. This illustrious liquid ruby is the brainchild of the acclaimed Falesco winery, known for its ceaseless commitment to quality. Brought to life by the masterful Maria and Martino Kotysz, their expertise in viticulture and enology produces renowned Vini d’Italia.
This merlot marvel blooms from hand-harvested grapes from single-vineyard sites, before undergoing fermentation in small oak barrels. The process ensures a remarkable complexity, paired with a captivating depth of flavour. This full-bodied vintage, boasting 14% alcohol, showcases rich, succulent red fruits, harmoniously balanced with velvety tannins and resonant oak undernotes.
Aged for 12 months in French barrels, the Falesco Montiano Lazio 2018 is replete with a lavish, lingering finish, making it an ideal complement to savoury dishes. This regal wine is the embodiment of Italian viticulture, curated to perfection. Make the Falesco Montiano Lazio 2018 your prestigious partner for prestigious occasions.
HK$5,360.00 -
Vinous (90)
(15% alcohol): Bright red. Floral red berries and spicy red cherry on the bright nose. Then fresh and clean in the mouth, with mineral and inky notes complementing sweet dark cherry and underbrush flavors. The long finish features supple tannins and a repeating inky nuance. Much better than the 2007 Brunello normale.HK$3,245.00 -
HK$4,365.00 -
HK$1,680.00 -
HK$3,040.00
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HK$3,525.00
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HK$1,455.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
Fattoria dei Barbi is one of the historic, grandfather estates of the appellation, and this important point comes to mind every time I have the honor of reviewing their new releases. The wines always show a distinctly traditional side that is just part of this estate's DNA, and I'd like to think that this defining characteristic would not change even if a concerted effort was made to do so. Territory speaks loud in the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. The wine offers purity and deep layering with alternating tones of dried cherry, dark spice, cola and crushed flowers. Only 4,000 bottles were made.HK$6,600.00 -
Wine Advocate (91)
The Fattoria le Pupille 2020 Poggio Argentato is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Traminer and Semillon, and the percentage of Sauvignon Blanc in this vintage was raised from 60% of the blend to 70%. This slight adjustment makes a big impact on the wine's perfumes, especially in a hot vintage such as this. Cold temperatures during pressing and the use of stainless steel helps to lock in tropical aromas, minty apple and crushed limestone. The Petit Manseng helps to give more vertical lift to the bouquet. Average annual production for this wine is about 40,000 bottles, but this vintage came in about 8,000 bottles short.HK$1,890.00 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is delicious. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, licorice and spices jump from the glass as this bold, fruit-driven Brunello fleshes out, showing off its extroverted personality. Layers of intense fruit continue to build as the wine opens up in the glass. Ideally, readers should give the 2010 a few years in bottle for the tannins to settle down a bit. This is a fine effort from Fossacolle.HK$4,005.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
A tight and chewy wine, with full body and lots of raisin and spice character. Impressive, ripe tannins. Thick and powerful; needs time in the bottle. From one of the most serious producers in Montalcino now. Best after 2007. 21,660 cases made.HK$1,840.00 -
Wine Spectator (95)
A tight and chewy wine, with full body and lots of raisin and spice character. Impressive, ripe tannins. Thick and powerful; needs time in the bottle. From one of the most serious producers in Montalcino now. Best after 2007. 21,660 cases made.HK$3,455.00 -
James Suckling (95)
Frescobaldi’s Brunello always delivers great quality in just about any vintage. Gorgeous nose of ripe berries and slice plums with an almost peach undertone. Full bodied, with a solid core of gorgeously clean and clear dark fruits. Dense and integrated tannins on the finish. So long and fascinating. Best after 2013.HK$1,680.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (96)
Review to be published soon.HK$4,415.00
Wine from Montalcino was only appreciated and understood by locals as recently as the 70's, even though its warm dry climate has much in common with its famous Tuscan cousin, Chianti. However pioneering work from Clemente Santi with various clones of Sangiovese led to what was labelled Brunello di Montalcino. Changes in strict laws have allowed this region to react better to modern trends, reducing mandatory oak ageing from 4 to 2 years. As with Chianti small amount of foreign grapes can now be included within blends.
