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At the Ilcinese preview, the 2019 Brunellos amaze with their balance and freshness. Rosso di Montalcino (2022 and 2021) increasingly aspires to have its own dignity. The 2018, even with the Reserve, confirms itself as a more complex and difficult vintage to interpret.

While the media spotlight was shining on Brunello, with Argiano 2018 in 1st place in the Wine Spectator Top 100 world ranking, in the same days the new vintages were making their debut in Montalcino. At the 32nd edition of Benvenuto Brunello the 2019, the 2018 Riserva, the 2022 (and 2021) Rosso, plus Moscadello and Sant'Antimo were presented. Also this year the Chinese preview, which took place from 16 to 28 November, anticipated the other national debuts by three months (we talked about it here).

Benvenuto Brunello's numbers
For numbers enthusiasts, you could taste 180 2019 Brunellos, of which 57 between "selection" and "vineyard", plus 2 2018 labels; 31 Reserve, of which 30 from 2018 and one from 2016; 45 Rosso di Montalcino 2022, 44 Rosso of 2021 and one of 2019. The delayed release of the Rosso is becoming increasingly common and testifies to the desire to give particular dignity to this wine, which among other things this year placed in 72nd place in the Wine Spectator ranking with the San Polo 2020 from Allegrini's Ilcinese company. Also present at the preview were 10 Sant'Antimo and 7 Moscadello. For a total of 320 wines for tasting.

Preview vintages: 2019, 2018 and 2022
As far as we are concerned, we carried out numerous tastings (there were two of us sharing the list) of around two thirds of the 320 samples. We can say that the 2019, although slightly warmer than the previous one, gave a far better result with much more balanced wines, alcohol content well integrated into properly ripe fruit, resolved and integrated tannins. We remember, in fact, that the 2018, which was presented here with the Reserve, was more complicated and less fresh than expected on paper, with often bitter tannins, notable alcohol content, without the counterbalance of the thickness in the fabric of the wine. The 2022 Rosso di Montalcino was considered the hottest and driest ever. Many producers presented the 2021 Rosso, preferring not to bottle it specifically for the event. Below we publish our best tastings, those that particularly impressed us for their interpretation of the vintage.

Brunello di Montalcino

Banfi – Vigna Marrucheto 2019
Compact ruby with brilliant flashes. Intense, deep aroma, with notes of undergrowth, liquorice, Mediterranean herbs, iodine. Fleshy and spicy with a fresh push that invites you to drink, very ripe tannin, soft and thick, persistent with a precise finish of liquorice and small black fruits with a savory evocation.

Camigliano – Paesaggio Inatteso 2019
Strong ruby, intense fruit on the nose with hints of blackberry, blueberries, raspberry compote and a noble and ethereal side of chalky powder, sweet tobaccos. Amazing mouth, ripe with freshness, just the right spicy tannin, small fruits in the center of the palate and deep marine flavor on the finish, with a persistent spicy vibration on the finish.

Corte Pavone – Fior di Meliloto 2019
Purple tint. Fresh and progressive nose: it starts with raspberry and vibrant fruit and then sails on aromatic herbs, fennel, iodine, incense. Juicy, fruity, dynamic palate, slightly pungent tannin, very integrated, persistent.

Podere Giodo – Giodo 2019
Elegant, fine and floral; on the palate it confirms its great finesse and elegance, with notes of aromatic herbs, iodine freshness and a persistent finish.

Stony 2019
Dried flowers, aromatic herbs, blackberry and rhubarb. In the mouth it is refreshing and invigorating, it has excellent acidity, centered tannin and a long finish.

Poggio di Sotto 2019
Of a rather pale garnet colour, it tastes of berries (raspberry), citrus fruits, aromatic herbs and holm oak. Intense, fruity, rightly ferrous, chalky on the palate, with a licorice and refreshing finish.

Val di Suga – Vigna Spuntali 2018
Characterized by an earthy note of undergrowth, liquorice and tobacco. More refreshing sip, firm but integrated tannin.
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