Gianni Brunelli : Brunello di Montalcino 2021

Characteristics and tasting notes for Brunello di Montalcino 2021 Gianni Brunelli

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a deep, intense ruby red with crystalline clarity.

Nose
From the outset, the bouquet reveals floral aromas of heather and strawberry tree blossom. It then evolves towards scents of well-ripened black berries, enhanced by delicate spice notes. The absence of filtration allows this aromatic palette to express itself with great complexity.

Palate
The palate offers a concentrated, flavourful texture, carried by tannins that are both refined and solidly structured. Fine minerality and vibrant acidity support the whole, extending into a remarkably persistent finish.

Food and wine pairing

This Italian red wine pairs perfectly with rich, slow-cooked meats such as wild boar stew, guinea fowl or roast duck. It also goes wonderfully well with pasta dishes in flavourful sauces as well as mature, characterful cheeses.

Service and storage

It is recommended to decant this Brunello di Montalcino 2021 at least an hour before tasting and to serve it at a temperature between 18 and 20°C. Built to last, it can continue to age in the cellar and will develop favourably until around 2046.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 14%, a total acidity of 6.19 g/l and a substantial dry extract of 29.5 g/l. As fermentation is carried through to completion, the residual sugar level is below 0.5 g/l.

The traditional expression and complexity of a wine from Montalcino

The estate

Founded in 1987 by Gianni Brunelli, the Gianni Brunelli estate marks a return to the family's winemaking roots in Tuscany. Located in Montalcino, the property spans 7 hectares of vines that have been organically farmed since the very beginning. Following the founder's passing in 2008, his wife Laura Brunelli took over the reins of the estate, supported by Adrian Brunelli. Together, they continue an artisanal philosophy rooted in tradition, favouring purity of fruit and authentic expression of terroir over commercial trends.

The vineyard

The grapes behind this Brunello di Montalcino come from two complementary terroirs. The historic site of Le Chiuse di Sotto, located at 250 metres altitude to the north, offers a cool, airy climate. Further south, the Podernovone plot rises above 500 metres on schist and calcareous marl soils, benefiting from a warmer south-west exposure. The vines, planted at a density of 4,500 plants per hectare and trained using the spurred cordon method, are tended by hand and protected through pheromone-based mating disruption, with no recourse to synthetic pesticides whatsoever.

The vintage

The year 2021 began with a late spring frost that naturally reduced yields. The summer season was warm, but benefited from excellent thermal swings between day and night. The ideal alternation between sunshine and a few timely rain showers at the end of August allowed the berries to reach perfect phenolic ripeness and optimal balance at harvest time.

Winemaking and aging

Following manual harvesting in small crates and rigorous sorting, fermentation of this Brunello di Montalcino 2021 begins spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts, at a controlled temperature between 27 and 28°C. A 12- to 16-day maceration at 32°C allows for measured extraction. The wine is then aged for 32 months exclusively in large Slavonian oak casks of various capacities. To preserve its full complexity, the wine is bottled without any prior filtration.

Grape variety

100% Sangiovese