The 2019 vintage in Montalcino has been hotly anticipated – following on from two trickier years, 2017 and 2018 (although we found the latter to offer some very elegant wines), it’s a year that seemed set to receive critical acclaim to match the lauded 2016.  A wet winter replenished water reserves, with a damp spring and warm, dry summer. There were no serious extremes in the conditions, with rain showers arriving in September allowing for a harvest of juicy berries, with little disease pressure, from the middle of the month, finishing in early October. It delivered both quality and quantity, and from what we’ve tasted the wines are extremely impressive – combining power and elegance, offering approachable yet clearly age-worthy styles with effortless balance.  Vinous – Antonio Galloni  For Antonio Galloni, one of the defining features of the 2019 vintage is its consistency: “The entire region excelled, from southwest to east and northeast to west. Frankly stated, finding a 2019 that doesn’t show remarkable balance, vivid fruit and freshness is a difficult task,” he writes.   The stress-free growing season produced wines of “utter harmony”, “a blending of power and elegance in a way seldom seen”. He explains that many producers describe the wines as “crunchy”, something he feels is apt, and compares the wines to the 2016s, but with more energy and the aforementioned crunchy tannins. “This is a vintage of radiance and appeal,” he says of 2019, a vintage with wines that are aromatically expressive, offer sense of place and typicity – often earning descriptors such as “classic, racy, cool-toned, crunchy and sleek”, as well as being built for the cellar (maturing over the next 10-15 years or more). It is, he writes, “the vintage we’ve all been waiting for”.  He emphasises that it isn’t just the 2019s that are so enticing, but that the “high-energy and fruit-forward” 2021 Rossos that make for “an embarrassment of riches” with the current releases. The 2021 Rossos offer “charming, wildly aromatic, drink-me-now personalities” – and are, he says “an excellent choice for collectors”, he suggests, providing “open drinking windows and gobs of pleasure” while the 2019s mature in the cellar.  Antonio Galloni’s top 2019s: Canalicchio di Sopra Vigna La Casaccia, Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie, Le Potazzine, Pian dell’Orino Bassolino di Sopra, Valdicava Vigna Montosoli, Mastrojanni Vigna Schiena d’Asino, Canalicchio di Sopra Vigna Montosoli, Baricci, Le Ragnaie Casanovina Montosoli, Argiano Vigna del Suolo, Altesino Vigna Montosoli  Explore Antonio Galloni’s full report, notes and scores on Vinous (subscribers only)   Wine Advocate – Monica Larner  “Now is the time to take a closer look at this storied Tuscan appellation,” advises Monica Larner – who is clearly excited by the quality of the 2019 vintage in Montalcino.   For Larner, 2019 offers “good balance between acidity, concentration and tannins” – with the latter more elegant than those of the 2018s. The wines are concentrated and weighty, yet balanced and elegant, and therefore remind her of 2007 or 2015. As other critics note, the wines are likely to be approachable in youth yet have the acidity and structure to age. The season was “uniformly easy” in both the vineyard and winery, and she highlights the large number of wines scoring between 97 and 99 points.  While both Kerin O’Keefe and Antonio Galloni feel 2019 has the edge on 2016, Larner believes that “2016 remains superior in my view in terms of elegance and longevity”, although 2019 “ranks close”. For her, one of the reasons the vintage feels so significant is that it marks the beginning of what she perceives as a “new wave” for Montalcino, with a group of producers pushing quality forward, inspired by Burgundy and Barolo to make wines with “vibrant flavors, light and energy”.  Monica Larner’s top 2019s: Le Ragnaie V. V., Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie, Poggio di Sotto, Giodo, Salicutti Teatro, La Ragnaie Passo del Lume Spento, Canalicchio di Sopra Vigna Montosoli, Castello Romitorio Filo di Seta, Casanova di Neri Giovanni Neri, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Pianrosso, Pieve Santa Restituta Sugarille  Explore Monica Larner’s full report, notes and scores on the Wine Advocate (subscribers only)  Kerin O’Keefe  You may not be familiar with the name Kerin O’Keefe, but she is one of the leading Italian wine critics. She was the Italian Editor for Wine Enthusiast for almost a decade, before she set up her own platform, however she is perhaps best known for her most recent book, Barolo and Barbaresco: The King and Queen of Italian Wine, and also wrote a book on Brunello di Montalcino in 2012.  For O’Keefe, the 2019 vintage is clearly an excellent year for Montalcino. “I’ve never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage,” she writes. It “has definitely lived up to its lofty reputation” and “the 2019s are overall even better than the 2016s”, she says. The wines combine “intensity, exuberance and great fruit as well as balance”, with many estates making their best wines ever. The growing season was “ideal”, and most 2019s offer “vital energy and refined tannins that allow the wines to showcase their [terroir]”.  Of course, while “it’s hard to find any defects with the 2019s”, there are of course some “more densely concentrated wines with generous alcohol levels”. Most, however, are “incredibly fragrant”, “full-bodied”, with “great energy” and “taut but refined tannins”, with the best combining body and finesse. She anticipates the wines ageing beautifully over the next 20 or so years.  Kerin O’Keefe’s top 2019s: Conti Constanti, L’Aietta, Le Chiuse, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Pianrosso, Gianni Brunelli, Canalicchio di Sopra, Gorelli, La Gerla, Lisini, Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto, Podere Le Ripi Cielo d’Ulisse, Salicutti Sorgente, Talenti Piero, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona  Explore Kerin O’Keefe’s full report, notes and scores on her site (subscribers only)  jancisrobinson.com – Walter Speller  The comparison between 2016 and 2019 continues in Walter Speller’s report and he highlights how divided producers are on which is better. All agree, however, that 2019 provided a growing season without extremes – something “which has become the definition of a great year”.  He draws comparisons between 2004 (which offered quantity and quality), as well as 2015. “I’m not entirely convinced 2019 has the same pedigree as 2016,” Speller writes. While there are some outstanding wines, he feels there are wines with stubborn tannins – and he doesn’t find it as consistent as other critics, but rather confirms that the best producers make fantastic wines year in, year out. He emphasises, as well, that quality is determined by producer rather than location in the region.   Walter Speller’s top 2019s: Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie, Canalicchio di Sopra Montosoli, Conti Constanti, Le Chiuse, Canalicchio di Sopra, Pieve Santa Restituta Sugarille, Le Ragnaie Casanovina Montosoli, Capanna, San Polino Helichrysum, Le Ragnaie V. V., Sesti, Fuligni  Explore Walter Speller’s full report, notes and scores on jancisrobinson.com (subscribers only)   James Suckling  James Suckling remarks that, as a growing season, 2019 was “a throwback to the late 1990s”, echoing other critics in saying that producers found it an easy year with no major challenges in the vineyard and winery. “I loved them,” he writes of the wines, enjoying a “crunchy and pure fruit character” in many. His two 100-point wines (Casanova di Neri Giovanni Neri and Valdicava Vigna Montosoli) have “incredible clarity of fruit and fine tannins as well as a transparency that takes them to their unique soils and locations on the hillsides surrounding Montalcino”.  Suckling also highlights how there is decreasing emphasis on new barriques, with old oak and larger casks increasingly favoured by producers in the region, as well as a growing number of single-site wines.  While he notes that producers compare the year to 2010, 2015 and 2016 (or some combination of those years), for him they are closest to 2004, 1997 or 1998 – having a “neoclassical character” thanks to their “agility and harmony”, and recommends giving them three to five years in bottle “to come into their own”. Whichever year you compare it to, however, Suckling is clear that “2019 is definitely a vintage to buy”.  James Suckling’s top 2019s: Casanova di Neri Giovanni Neri, Valdicava Vigna Montosoli, Giodo, Siro Pacenti Vecchie Vigne, Argiano Vigna del Suolo, Cerbaia, Fuligni, Tenuta Luce  Explore James Suckling’s full report, notes and scores on his site (subscribers only)  Jeb Dunnuck – Audrey Frick The latest report to be released on Montalcino is courtesy of Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck’s Italian correspondent. She reports that 2019 wines are “exceptional and offer consistent greatness across the region”. She compares the wines to those of 2015 for their depth and concentration, 2016 for the vibrancy and tension, and 2010, saying that they offer “outstanding freshness, incredible balance of richness, and a great deal of complexity”. No matter your tastes, there is, she says “something for everyone regardless of style”. The easy growing season, with no major heat spikes or challenges, has resulted in a vintage that is defined by its “completeness” and advises “collectors are going to want to snatch up top bottles from across the region”. She highlights Poggio di Sotto and Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie in particular, identifying them as two, contrasting wines that “highlight the incredible potential of this vintage”. Audrey Frick’s top 2019s: Il Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie, Canalicchio di Sopra Vigna La Casaccia, Casanova di Neri Giovanni Neri, Gianni Brunelli, Giodo, Le Chiuse, Le Ragnaie V. V., Pieve Santa Restituta Rennina, Poggio di Sotto, Val di Suga Poggio al Granchio Explore Audrey Frick's full report, notes and scores on the Jeb Dunnuck site (subscribers only) Browse all current listings of 2019 Brunello di Montalcino or read more Editorial 

Following on the heels of 2017 and 2018, the 2019 vintage seems like a blessing for Montalcino – a year to rival 2016. As the Brunello di Montalcinos from the year are released, we provide a round-up of what the top critics are saying about the vintage – as well as their top-scoring wines

The leading critics’ views on 2019 Brunello di Montalcino as well as their top-scoring wines: Antonio Galloni, Monica Larner, Kerin O’Keefe and Walter Speller

Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – critics’ round-up 

Brunello di Montalcino 2019: what the critics are saying

This week saw the release of the Wine Advocate’s first report on 2016 Brunello di Montalcino, written by Monica Larner. It’s only a first look rather than full review, as – with the current restrictions on travel, some producers have preferred to hold back their samples until early
next year – so the report doesn’t include the full line-up of releases. This is the third major report to be released on the vintage in the last few weeks, following on from the Vinous (courtesy of Eric Guido) and James Suckling reports earlier in the month. All are in agreement, 2016 is an exceptional vintage. Perhaps the most exciting thing about 2016 is the huge range of excellent wines. The sheer scope and variety between them could keep a collector very happy for a very long time. There is universal agreement that the younger generation of more open-minded Montalcinesi are bringing real excitement to the region. Their impact has only become more evident in the region’s most recent yet completely contrasting vintages. 2015 showing off the fantastic concentration and fruit purity. 2016 its precision, structure and elegance. With 2017 looking like a much more difficult vintage – it’s worth making hay while the sun shines, and it has never shined brighter in Montalcino than today. 
2016 versus 2015 
For Monica Larner and Eric Guido, 2016 eclipses the hugely successful 2015 vintage. For Guido, who was a lot less taken by the 2015 vintage, there is little comparison to be made – 2016 is by far the better vintage in terms of typicity, precision and aging potential. For James Suckling, 2015 and 2016 are the best vintages ever made in the region and he is well-equipped to make such a statement, having tasted Brunello extensively back to the early 1980s. For Suckling, the 2015 just pips the 2016s to the post, but largely due to their approachability, stating that the 2016’s “intense tannins” make then a lot less accessible at this early stage. Eric Guido’s views of the two vintages are more polarised. In his 2015 report, he felt the exuberance and warmth of the 2015 vintage in the wrong hands could produce wines that were made “simple” by their ripeness, questioning their potential for “serious evolution”. He states that the 2015s do not compare with the other great modern vintages of 2004, 2006, 2007 or 2010 – yet 2016 certainly does, stating, “They are like a well-muscled black stallion in its prime. They are dark yet radiant, expressive, nearly explosive at times, yet pure, poised and structured… I frankly cannot remember the last time I tasted young wines from Montalcino that possessed such symmetry from start to finish.” Monica Larner feels there is less between the two vintages when it comes to quality, although she admits a personal preference to the style of the 2016s, stating. “I prefer the classic purity and linearity of the slightly cooler 2016 vintage to the more exuberant and texturally generous wines from the warmer 2015.” She actually believes the 2015s generally are “more even keeled” than the 2016s, where the “transparency” of the vintage has exposed both the highs and lows of the vintage. Despite this, she believes the power and elegance is greater in 2016 overall. Although too early in the wines’ evolution to directly compare with the 2010s, she believes it certainly is up there in terms of quality in the best examples. For James Suckling, it is the consistency of quality that marks out a great vintage – and both 2016 and 2015 tick that box: “I learned a long time ago as a wine critic that great years are years when everything is outstanding from the lesser-known properties to the most prestigious ones. The 2016 and 2015 vintages certainly achieved this, making this pair of years the greatest ever for Brunello di Montalcino.” He concludes that 2016 Brunello is the ideal vintage for laying down and enjoying over the long term, whereas 2015’s open-knit style makes them already approachable and enjoyable now.  

 The rise of the crus Larner makes the points that 2016 has certainly been a vintage that has showcased the rise of the Crus in the region, with many of her favourite wines coming from single vineyards. Most notably, she awarded Il Maronetto’s Madonna delle Grazie 100 points, but also Casanova di Neri’s Cerretalto and Tenuta Nuova both featuring in her top 10. A winery that has championed the concept of single vineyards in Brunello since the early days, first releasing the Cerretalto with the 1981 vintage. Eric Guido believes that this is still early days for the region’s Crus and we should expect many more over the coming vintages, with many producers registering names for future releases. The fact that all the top Crus in 2016 – Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona’s Pianrosso from Castelnuevo dell’Abate, Casanova di Neri’s Crus from Canalicchio and Il Maronetto’s Madonna delle Grazie from central Montalcino – are situated in very different parts of
Montalcino bodes well for the potential and variety set to develop as more producers start producing single-vineyard wines. Eric Guido points out that to produce a Cru wine, by law producers must reduce their yields from Brunello’s nine tonnes per hectare to seven. This means that these single-vineyard wines are about more than just terroir, the lower yields adding more intensity and concentration to the wines. Larner says, “Over these past six years, there has been a significant shift to
single-vineyard and so-called “Selezione” wines. This signals an important change in perspective and illuminates the very way the ilcinesi see themselves: not as a monolithic wine region but as a complex and fluid assembly of various moving pieces and parts. This self-awareness is key to Montalcino’s future success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.” 
Top-rated wines There’s no shortage of high scores this year – and many are already on the market. Here’s a short-list those that are well worth looking out for. Casanova di Neri Few producers have been so universally well scored than the single vineyards of Cerretalto and Tentua Nuova from Casanova di Neri. The Cerretalto 2015 Riserva being awarded 100 points from Suckling and 98+ points from Larner. Their Tenuta Nuova 2016 awarded 97+ points from Larner, 96 points from Guido and 99 points from Suckling. Their wines remain some of the most seductive and complex and consistent of the region. Poggio Antico Poggio Antico in terms of price-to-quality ratio also seemed to fare very well across the critics. Although the Altero might not be for the traditionalists, it is an outstanding wine and both their 2015 Riserva and straight 2016 Brunello are exceptional. Altesino Altesino’s straight Brunello, priced at just £185 per case of six in bond and awarded 95+ points from Larner, seems an absolute steal. Giodo Carlo Ferrini’s Giodo was also a fantastic hit for both Suckling (100 points) and Larner (98 points). Larner described it as a “career-defining wine from this proud Sangiovista”. With just over 800 cases produced, it will be a rare find in years to come. Gianni Brunelli Gianni Brunelli’s wines have been remarkably successful in 2016 and remain well-priced for the quality, although availability will likely become difficult, particularly for their Le Chiuse di Sotto, which Larner awarded 100 points – the only 2016 wine other than Il Maronetto’s Madonna delle Grazie to receive a perfect score. Any wine from Brunelli including their 2015
Riserva is well worth seeking out. Other great-value buys include Baricci, Livio Sassetti, Il Poggione and Castiglion del Bosco – all of which received glowing reviews

The 2016 vintage in Montalcino is one of the best we’ve tasted – and the critics have now had their say. Here’s an overview of the Wine Advocate, Vinous and James Suckling's reviews – and the wines they rate most highly

Our round-up of the reports from Vinous, Wine Advocate and James Suckling on the 2016 wine vintage in Montalcino. And it is one of the best we’ve tasted

What the critics are saying about Brunello 2016

Brunello 2016: what the critics are saying

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Gianni Masciarelli

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