BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s most prestigious and age-worthy red wines, produced exclusively around the hilltop town of Montalcino in southern Tuscany. Made from 100% Sangiovese (locally known as Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello), these wines are renowned for their structure, depth, and exceptional aging potential.

The vineyards of Montalcino sit between 120 and 650 meters above sea level, benefiting from a warm Mediterranean climate moderated by cooling breezes from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. This combination allows the grapes to achieve full ripeness while maintaining freshness and balance. The region’s diverse soils—ranging from galestro (schist-like clay) to limestone and sandstone—contribute to the complexity and individuality of the wines.

Brunello di Montalcino wines are typically powerful and structured in their youth, showing aromas of dark cherry, plum, dried herbs, leather, and spice, often with hints of tobacco and earth. With age, they develop remarkable elegance and tertiary notes such as truffle, forest floor, and balsamic nuances.

Italian law requires Brunello di Montalcino to undergo extended aging before release, traditionally a minimum of five years (including at least two years in oak), which is longer than most Italian wines. This aging requirement contributes to the wine’s reputation for longevity, with the best examples capable of evolving beautifully for 20 years or more.

Today, Brunello di Montalcino stands alongside Barolo and Barbaresco as one of Italy’s most iconic wines, prized by collectors and enthusiasts for its balance of power, refinement, and unmistakable Tuscan character.