Brunello di Montalcino · Sangiovese Grosso
2020s
A more balanced, classic season after difficult 2023-24 — healthy fruit and good acidity. Promising, still ageing. Ageing · releases 2030
Heavy spring rain and Peronospora across Tuscany cut yields; a warm late summer aided recovery. Fresher, lighter early style. Ageing · releases 2029
A wet, mildew-pressured spring and uneven summer made a variable, lighter vintage demanding strict selection. Ageing · releases 2028
A hot, dry drought year on Montalcino; the best sites kept freshness, giving rich, ripe Sangiovese with firm tannins. Riserva-worthy in top hands. Ageing · releases 2027
A potential modern classic (5 stars). Despite frost-reduced yields, a remarkably even season gave wines of exceptional harmony. Releases Jan 2026. Releasing 2026
Released 2025 (5 stars from the Consorzio) — aromatic, succulent and approachable, with quality varying by site. Released 2025
2010s
Released 2024 and widely celebrated — pure, fruit-filled Brunello combining elegance and power; among the finest of the decade. Released 2024
A rainy spring and July storms led to swollen berries by harvest; cool weather in September resulted in fine ripening; the best are aromatic, elegant, and fresh. Released 2023
Spring and summer were warm and especially dry, with slightly more rain in the north; the best wines are balanced and fresh for enjoying over the near term.
Exceptional vintage with balance, depth, and elegance.
Outstanding vintage producing elegant and structured wines.
A cooler year with lighter wines.
Classic, vibrant Brunellos with mineral notes.
Rich, concentrated wines with ripe fruit and freshness.
A warm year with lively and balanced wines.
Perfect late summer weather produced structured and elegant wines.
2000s
Warm summer gave elegant, fruity, and balanced wines.
A cool growing season produced balanced and elegant wines.
Hotter and riper; fruit-forward, rich, and elegant wines.
Complex and powerful wines with great aging potential.
Rains during harvest dampened quality, but still a very good vintage.
Wonderfully perfumed and majestically refined Brunellos.
Rich, powerful, and thick wines; some lack focus.
A wet growing season resulted in mediocre wines.
Great wines with wonderful structure, focus, and balance.
Aromatic, soft, and for early drinking.
1990s
Generous, tannic, and fruity wines with velvety texture.
Perfumed, harmonious, and delicious wines.
Extremely aromatic; structured and racy wines.
Fruity and aromatic, but slightly diluted.
Structured and firm, yet fruity; very good indeed.
A good vintage with approachable wines.
A solid vintage with structured and balanced wines.
A weaker vintage due to challenging weather conditions.
Another outstanding vintage with exceptional quality wines.
A legendary vintage with rich and complex wines, excellent aging potential.
1980s
A weaker vintage with less structured wines.
A remarkable vintage with excellent balance and complexity.
A moderate vintage with balanced wines.
An average vintage producing decent wines.
An iconic vintage with exceptional wines.
A poor vintage with few notable wines.
A strong vintage with well-structured wines.
A balanced vintage with good longevity.
An average vintage with approachable wines.
A strong vintage with elegant wines.
1970s
A solid vintage with good balance and structure.
A balanced vintage producing elegant wines.
A strong vintage with balanced and aromatic wines.
A very poor vintage, with little to note.
A legendary vintage producing complex and long-lived wines.
A lighter vintage with less structure.
A solid vintage with balanced wines.
A very poor vintage, with limited quality wines.
An average vintage with approachable wines.
A remarkable vintage with great balance and longevity.
1960s
A weaker vintage with less complexity.
A decent vintage with moderate structure.
A balanced vintage with fine wines.
A strong vintage producing elegant wines.
A solid vintage with good balance.
An extraordinary vintage, still vibrant and lively.
An average vintage with decent wines.
A solid vintage with balanced wines.
An outstanding vintage with legendary wines.
An average vintage with moderate quality.
1950s
A decent vintage with balanced wines.
Balanced and aromatic wines with elegance.
A strong and elegant vintage.
A weaker vintage with light wines.
The 'vintage of the century' according to Franco Biondi Santi. Iconic wines with longevity.
A lighter vintage, with less structure.
A solid vintage with good balance.
An average vintage with decent quality.
A strong and velvety vintage.
A decent vintage with some structured wines.
1940s
An average vintage, producing balanced but unremarkable wines.
A weaker vintage with less notable wines.
A warmer vintage producing rich and ripe wines.
A strong vintage, with promising wines.
An extraordinary post-war vintage with legendary status.
