When talking about the great wines of Tuscany, most people would argue that the Chianti’s are the best. However, Brunello di Montalcino should in no way be overlooked or underestimated. When it comes to the great wines of not only Italy but of the world, Brunello di Montalcino is most definitely right up there.
When producing Brunello di Montalcino, there are quite a few laws concerning the production of wine. First and foremost, it has to be made from 100% Sangiovese. These thick-skinned berries result in high-tannin, high-acid wines with intense flavors. Those tannins also mean that these wines can, and should be aged for several years.
The laws surrounding Brunello di Montalcino also state that there are minimum aging requirements before these wines may be released. With Brunello di Montalcino Normale, the wine has to be aged for 5 years after harvest and with Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, the wine has to be aged for a minimum of 6 years.
The results of these aging requirements are wines with integrated tannins and complex flavors of dried fruits, aniseed, hazelnut, leather, and chocolate.
The changing times
Brunello di Montalcino is said to have first been made in 1865 – and has had a long history of traditional winemaking.
These traditional methods included using Slovenian oak barrels that offer little “oak” characteristics and offer more exposure to oxygen. This oxidation is what allows the development of the leather, and dried fruit aromas.
However, more modern approaches have been taken when producing these wines. Today, using small, French oak barrels is more common to allow the development of black fruits, chocolate, and vanilla. These methods also mean that these wines can be enjoyed much earlier than traditional Brunello.
Vintages to look out for:
Because of Europe’s cold climate and unpredictable ripening, not all vintages would produce acceptable wines. So, if you’re seeking out the best versions of Brunello di Montalcino, look out for these:
1997 & 2001 vintages are great to drink now if you enjoy wines with mature, tertiary aromas.
2004 & 2006 vintages are perfect for consuming now.
2007, 2010 and 2012 have proven to show beautifully.
2015 is a vintage that will age beautifully for the next 8 – 10 years.
Rosso di Montalcino
For those producers and consumers who don’t want to age their wines for decades, there is another option that emerged. In the ‘90s, a new appellation was established, that allowed producers to make Sangiovese wine and release it earlier as Rosso di Montalcino.
These wines only need to be aged for a minimum of 1 year and they are much earlier drinking compared to Brunello.
With these wines, you can expect a lot more fruity aromas. Here, common aromas are Cherries, dried cranberries, strawberries, violets, and dried flowers.
If you enjoy powerful, intense, expressive red wines, trying a Brunello di Montalcino should definitely be on your bucket list. These wines are one of the stars of Italy and just exhibit what powerful wines can be produced in this region.
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