Brunello di Montalcino: Sleek, Pure 2013s

“The best 2013 Brunellos are sleek, refined wines with high acidity, well-integrated tannins and a cool-climate character,” writes Ian D’Agata in his coverage for Vinous . “Clearly, the 2013 Brunellos will leave those weaned on big, rich, tannic, high-pH wines scratching their heads, but those who prefer their Sangiovese restrained and refined will be grinning from ear to ear.” Discover a case-full of Ian D’Agata’s picks from this “excellent vintage for Brunello di Montalcino.”

Podere Brizio

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.2

Bright red. Sweet spice, ripe red cherry, licorice and flowers on the nose and in the mouth. Smooth and bright, and though not exactly the last word in concentration or complexity, this is downright irresistible in its juicy, fruity appeal. Podere Brizio recently changed ownership and now belongs to Dievole, the Chianti Classico producer (Podere Brizio’s previous owner, Roberto Bellini, is the man who sold the Chiesa di Santa Restituta estate to Gaja, who renamed it Pieve di Santa Restituta). (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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Tenuta di Collosorbo

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.4

Palish red. The intensely floral nose (violet, peony, iris, rose) also offers aromas of red cherry and incense. Dense but juicy, showing a sappy quality, but plenty of extract nicely frames the red fruit and candied violet flavors. The long finish is given added punch by strong underlying minerality. Very attractive wine of impeccable balance. Well done. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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Gianni Brunelli

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.3

Dark red. Perfumed red cherry and flinty underbrush nuances on the nose. Then deep and rich in the mouth with red cherry and plum flavors dominating. Finishes long, revealing a hint of balsamic oils and licorice. Currently very austere, this promising Brunello will need plenty of time in a good cellar to showcase all of its noteworthy potential. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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Voliero

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.4

Bright red with a pale rim. Knockout aromas and flavors of spicy red cherry, licorice, cedar and aromatic herbs. Clean, ripe and round, with saline nuances lingering nicely on the smooth but very lively finish. A classic Brunello from Voliero. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

Casanova di Neri

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.4

Luminous deep red. Captivating aromas of sweet red berries, cinnamon, violet and licorice. Then also very fruity in the mouth; refined, juicy red plum and raspberry flavors linger brightly on the fresh back end. Has a delightful red fruit cocktail quality that makes it practically impossible to put the glass back down. And though it is simply bursting at the seams with early appeal, this truly lovely Brunello will also age well. Unless my memory fails me, this may well be the best entry-level wine from Casanova di Neri that I have ever tasted. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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Altesino

Montosoli Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.7

Good full pale ruby-red. Knockout aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry, licorice and minerals, complicated by hints of iris and violet. Extremely suave and polished on the extremely long, pure, mineral finish. Deeper, richer, more tannic and longer than the lovely 2013 Brunello Classico from Altesino, this is an absolutely beautiful Brunello. I especially like that the pristine, refined aromas and flavors of the famed Montosoli site are showcased to maximum effect here. One of the best Brunellos of the vintage. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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San Filippo

Le Lucere Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.4

Bright red. Perfumed aromas and flavors of pink flowers, sour red cherry and strawberry. Fresh and juicy but also dense and deep, this boasts captivating sugar-acid-tannin balance. Finishes long and perfumed; despite its sneaky concentration and size, it also has a light-on-its-feet quality that is very typical of this wine. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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Podere Scopetone

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.2

Bright red. Very perfumed floral nose of red berries and minty herbs. High but harmonious acidity lifts and extends the strawberry, orange peel and mineral flavors on the long, vibrant back end. The wine ages roughly 24 months in 33-hL Slavonian oak casks. Scopetone’s Brunellos are always some of the shrillest, most taut and pristine wines made in all of Montalcino, though at times they could use just a touch more flesh. That recognized, I love the floral perfume, very juicy strawberry flavors and mineral edge that give this wine a unique personality among Montalcino’s greats. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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Uccelliera

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.2

Dark red with a pale rim. Ripe red cherry, licorice, underbrush and a hint of game on the complex nose. Ripe but suave, offering nuances of aromatic herbs and tar that complement spicy red currant and blood orange flavors. Soft-textured and slightly marked by some alcohol-derived warmth (14.5%), this finishes long and ripe. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

Castiglion del Bosco

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013

Delectable Wine
9.4

Luminous medium-dark red. The captivating nose combines sour red cherry, violet, coconut, tobacco, minerals and a hint of white pepper. Densely packed and youthful but very fresh and lively; this already boasts a silky texture and considerable early appeal owing to its noteworthy sweetness of fruit. Subtle notes of red berries, herbs, graphite and flowers carry through into the rising, very long, vibrant finish. A knockout Brunello that further confirms winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi’s talent at making exceptionally good, very classic Brunellos. I can think of very few wines in all of Italy that have improved more than Castiglion del Bosco’s over the last decade. Well done. (Ian D'Agata, Vinous, April 2018) — 6 years ago

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