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Benvenuto Brunello is held annually in November in the charming village of Montalcino, located in southern Tuscany.
Meticulously organized by the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the event hosts journalists and wine professionals from around the world to visit the region and to taste “en-primeur” the new releases of Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino and Riserva.
I was invited to this event as part of the North American group of Italian Wine Ambassadors in partnership with the Vinitialy International Academy (VIA) and the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino.
Discover my favorite wines from the latest releases of Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino and 4 must-wineries to visit on your next trip to Montalcino, Tuscany !
Article by Mihai Popescu
In the region of Montalcino the red wines are produced only by using the Sangiovese Grosso, for the famous Brunello di Montalcino (extensive aging) and also the younger and fresher style Rosso di Montalcino.
The unique terroir is a mild climate, protected by the Mount Amiata (1740m), altitudes between 120-650m and various soils such as galestro, alberese, clay, sand and volcanic.
The wines were pioneered in the 1860’s by their founding father Clemente Santi and have reached international recognition in the 1980’s taking over the global market.
Here are my favorites Rosso di Montalcino from the latest vintages, available or coming soon at the SAQ :
Banfi – Rosso di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura 2022 – SAQ 29.95$
Carpineto – Rosso di Montalcino 2023 – SAQ 28.75$
La Fortuna – Rosso di Montalcino 2022 – SAQ 43.50$
Casanova di Neri – Rosso di Montalcino Gioavanni Neri 2022 – SAQ 36.50$
Le Ragnaie – Rosso di Montalcino 2021 – SAQ 52.75$
Col d’Orcia – Rosso di Montalcino 2022 – SAQ 28.15$
My top Brunello di Montalcino from the 2020 vintage, available or coming soon at the SAQ:
Casanova di Neri – Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – SAQ 88.50$
La Fortuna – Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – SAQ 72.00$
Tommasi Casisano – Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – SAQ 53.50$
Collemattoni – Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – SAQ 67.25$
Cannalicchio di Sopra – Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – SAQ 97,00$
Caparzo – Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – SAQ 57.25$
The Rosso shows bright aromas of fresh red fruits, subtle herbs and earthy notes and refreshing acidity, while the Brunello is more complex with riper cherry, balsamic, earthy and spices (coming from extended aging in different types of vessels) with an age worthy structure.
The 2020 was a warmer vintage and shows that some producers are ready to deliver more fruit driven and ready to drink wines, while some others are keeping the traditional style making more structured and robust wines.
Montalcino is a must-visit in Tuscany, offering breathtaking views, exceptional wines, delicious food, and warm hospitality.
My favorite culinary experience is the local hand-rolled pasta, “pinci,” paired with mountain-inspired sauces like wild boar ragu, rabbit, or mushrooms.
Nestled in the southwest of Montalcino, at altitudes of 320–340m, this estate boasts 25 hectares of vines rooted in galestro and clay-loam soils.
Founded with the planting of “La Madre” vineyard in 1965, the first Brunello di Montalcino was bottled in 1978. Today, they craft 50k bottles of Brunello, 40k Rosso, and a variety of other wines, alongside honey and olive oil. Hand-harvested grapes, natural yeast fermentation, and aging in larger Slavonian barrels reflect their dedication to tradition and quality.
The wines are available at the SAQ with Valmonti.
Located in Sant’Angelo in Colle, Collemattoni is a family-run winery blending tradition and sustainability. Since its founding in 1980, the estate has expanded from 1 to 13 hectares, embracing organic farming and solar energy.
With vineyards at 250–300m altitude, and a new high-altitude site in development, their Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino capture the true essence of Sangiovese. Keep an eye on their upcoming single-vineyard Brunello from the Passo del Lume!
The wines are available at the SAQ with Sélections Fréchettes.
Perched at 400m in the highest part of Montalcino, Casisano Winery, owned by the esteemed Tommasi family, crafts elegant wines that embrace the benefits of high-altitude viticulture. Led by winemaker Emiliano Falsini, the estate focuses on precision, with 35-45-year-old vineyards yielding 42hl/ha for Brunello.
Through green harvests, strict sorting, and cool fermentations (26-28°C), their wines showcase balance, freshness, and the unique charm of Montalcino’s elevated terroir.
The wines are available at the SAQ with Univins And Spirits.
Situated amidst the rolling hills of Montalcino, it crafts exceptional wines that embody the purity and elegance of Sangiovese. With vineyards ranging from 175m to 500m altitude, the estate benefits from diverse microclimates and soils, ensuring complexity and balance in every bottle.
Poggio Landi focuses on sustainability and low intervention, using meticulous vineyard management and precision winemaking to highlight the character of their terroir, the winery is part of the Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards portfolio, owned by Argentinian entrepreneur Alejandro Bulgheroni.
The wines are available at SAQ with Vins Balthazard.
Locates at a high altitude of 500m in Montalcino, it is a family-owned estate crafting organic Brunello di Montalcino that radiates purity and energy. With 16.5 ha of vineyards on galestro, clay, and stone soils, Fabian’s passion is evident in every bottle.
Organic since 2012, their wines are made with cold maceration, natural yeast, and aged 2.5–3 years in 500–700L oak barrels.
Worth mentioning their “Ciliegio Brunello di Montalcino 2020” is such a special vibrant, pure and full of energy wine, representing very well the “magic” of the place.
The wines are available in Quebec in private import with Pot de Vin Agency.
