I have reviewed one wine from Gianni Brunelli: the 2021 Gianni Brunelli Brunello Di Montalcino (99 points). Gianni Brunelli also features in one journal article on this site.
Gianni Brunelli – Le Chiuse di Sotto is a small, artisanal jewel in Montalcino. It was founded by the late Gianni Brunelli, a man of great charisma and passion, and has been run with the same devotion by his wife Laura since his death. The style is strictly traditional, with spontaneous fermentations and ageing in large Slavonian oak.
The estate’s uniqueness lies in blending two complementary terroirs. The heart is the Le Chiuse di Sotto vineyard in the north, ancestral land of the Biondi-Santi family, at 320 metres on cool, clay-rich soils ventilated by constant breezes. It provides the wine’s nervous system: high-toned aromatics, electric acidity and vibrant energy. Podernovone, in the south, brings structure and warmth.
Together they create a Brunello of equilibrium, soulful elegance and seamless texture. In 2021 it captured the crystalline purity and crunchy red fruit that define the northern reach of the vintage, and it stands among the most profound Brunellos of the year.
If 2019 was operatic and 2020 was sunny, 2021 is the year of transparency. This is a vintage that vibrates with energy, defined by significant diurnal shifts that locked in soaring aromatics and “al dente” fruit profiles. Moving away from sheer muscle, the 2021 Brunellos are architectural and nervy, showcasing a savory, saline grip that speaks clearly of the Montalcino soil. For the collector who values elegance and tension over weight, this is a sophisticated, “intellectual” vintage that promises a fascinating evolution in the cellar.
