Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2021

Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto | Tuscany
Gianni Brunelli | Le Chiuse di Sotto | Loc. Podernovone 157 | IT 53024 Montalcino

29622121 · 0,75 l · 98,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

Montalcino, November 2008. Gianni Brunelli's thread was severed – as Laura herself puts it (he passed away). Anyone familiar with the elegance with which the estate has been run since then will understand that this was not the beginning of an end, but rather a different kind of continuity: quieter, more focused, perhaps even more resolute. Laura Brunelli, a biologist from Sardinia who has been the driving force behind two institutions for decades – the Osteria Le Logge in Siena and the vineyards on the slopes of Montalcino – has not replaced Gianni. She has carried on. And that is a difference you can taste in the glass.

Le Chiuse di Sotto lies north-east of Montalcino, 250 metres above sea level, with clay-rich soils and vines some of which can be traced back to Dino Brunelli – Gianni's father, who planted them here in the late 1940s. On the opposite side lies Podernovone: 500 metres above sea level, on a south-eastern slope, with a completely different character. These two worlds give rise to a Brunello that creates a sense of tension, as north and south only come together in the cellar. 2021 was not an easy vintage. Late frost, a dry summer, a lifesaving spell of rain in August, and cool September nights. The result: wines with concentration and freshness in a rare balance. For Brunelli: hand-harvested, vinification by individual plot, long ageing in Slavonian oak barrels of up to 30 hectolitres. Organically farmed, though not certified – Laura doesn’t need the paperwork to live by these principles.

In the glass, a deep ruby red with violet highlights. On the nose: red cherries, dried violets, undergrowth, and underlying that iron-rich minerality reminiscent of wet earth after a summer thunderstorm. On the palate, structure with elegance, fine-grained tannins, lively, integrated acidity, and a long finish with notes of tobacco, liquorice and a hint of orange peel. A Brunello that is already showing its true character now and will reveal its full potential in ten to fifteen years' time. Laura's vision is holding up. SUPERIORE.DE

"From one of the highest vineyards in the region: an intriguing bouquet of red berries and flowers; on the palate, it is juicy and fresh, with lively acidity and a lovely finish, featuring firm, well-integrated tannins." Vinum

"Instead of producing two Brunellos from a single vineyard, the owner, Laura Vacca, has chosen to blend plots from the estate's various sites. The Le Chiuse di Sotto vineyard, with its north-westerly aspect and predominantly loamy soil, lends the wine a cool, fragrant elegance, whilst the warmer, stony Podernovone vineyard in the south-east of Montalcino provides ripeness and structure. The 2021 vintage possesses its characteristic, overwhelming aromas – dusty violets, sage, mint and tarragon. It is brimming with joyful, lush fruit – dark red cherry and fleshy peach – which is effortlessly balanced by refined, graceful tannins that grip firmly in the mineral-infused finish." Decanter

"Bright cherry, raspberry, rose hip and wild herb flavors highlight this sleek, linear red. Though tightly wound, this persists with intense flavors midpalate and into the long finish. Charming and balanced, though a few years to integrate will do this good." Wine Spectator

"A slightly earthy, almost tarry nose of deep red and dark fruits, with hints of chocolate and spices. On the palate, it is well-balanced and harmonious, with a medium to full body, very fine tannins and lively acidity. Smooth and well-integrated, with a long-lasting, slightly spicy finish." James Suckling

"Dried flowers mingle with crushed stones, grilled herbs and spiced orange peel as the dark, seductive 2021 Brunello di Montalcino swells from the glass. The wine is polished, silky and lively, with a harmonious blend of enticing acidity, minerality and ripe red and black fruits. The tannins are round and refined, leaving a classically dry finish as notes of liquorice and cedar spice fade away." Vinous

"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is a refined and finely crafted expression, displaying tension and subtle sweetness on a taut, silky palate with beautifully structured tannins. The overall impression remains ethereal and weightless, a hallmark of the precision with which the estate has crafted the Sangiovese in this classic vintage. The wine balances finesse and structure with remarkable composure." Wine Advocate