Tasting Notes
2019 was a 5-star vintage for the Consorzio del Brunello. Solid garnet color. The nose opens with aromas of cherries and plum with nice floral and forest notes, followed by meaty hints of sweet spices. Lip-smacking and juicy on the palate, with notes of tangerine peel, red plums and strawberries, along with very elegant tannins and a good vertical structure, savoury and tasty at the back. A very long orange and chocolate finish.
Harvest Notes
2019 is a year that will be sure to be remembered thanks to a perfect phenolic and technological maturity and for the excellent quality of grapes brought to the cellar. This vintage was everything producers look for. The winter was characterized by temperatures slightly above average, reaching below zero mainly at the beginning of January. Although budding occurred at the usual time, average temperatures in the months of March, April and May were around 10°C, leading to an initial slowdown in vegetative development. Average temperatures in June and July were between 20°C and 25°C with just a few peaks of 35°C. Worth mentioning is the heavy rain at the end of July with about 70 mm in two days. There was no rain in August except for some precipitation at the end of the month which was characterised by average temperatures with maximum temperature between 30 and 35°C. The accumulated water reserves and the never too high temperatures allowed a slow and uniform ripening of the grapes, ideal for obtaining perfect phenolic and technological maturity. End of summer rain the first week of September delayed harvest briefly, allowing for further refinement of the phenolics and keeping alcohol potential in range. As an added bonus, the harvest took place smoothly during a window of time when the weather was mild and consistent. Excellent vintage.
Reviews
James Suckling - September 2023 – 95 PTS
Black cherries and flowers, such as roses on the nose. Medium to full body with firm, silky tannins and a clear finish. Very al dente. Drink after 2027.
Black cherries and flowers, such as roses on the nose. Medium to full body with firm, silky tannins and a clear finish. Very al dente. Drink after 2027.
Kerin O’Keefe – November 2023 – 95 PTS & #62 Top 100 Wines of 2023
Forest floor, camphor, new leather and wild rose aromas come to the forefront on the lovely 2019 Brunello from Il Palazzone along with whiffs of spice. Smooth and juicy, the savory palate features ripe raspberry, cherry, star anise, hints of chocolate and a cool graphite note alongside enveloping, polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2028–2039. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com
Forest floor, camphor, new leather and wild rose aromas come to the forefront on the lovely 2019 Brunello from Il Palazzone along with whiffs of spice. Smooth and juicy, the savory palate features ripe raspberry, cherry, star anise, hints of chocolate and a cool graphite note alongside enveloping, polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2028–2039. Abv: 14% Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com
Winecritic.com – October 2023 – 95 PTS (Raffaele Vecchione)
Solid and centred in its sensory profile, it displays notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine peel, flint, orange juice, red plums and wild strawberries. Medium-full body, perfectly ripe tannins and a harmonious and balanced finish that makes progressive smoothness its best weapon. Best since 2025.
Solid and centred in its sensory profile, it displays notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine peel, flint, orange juice, red plums and wild strawberries. Medium-full body, perfectly ripe tannins and a harmonious and balanced finish that makes progressive smoothness its best weapon. Best since 2025.
Vinous – November 2023 – 94 PTS (Eric Guido)
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is an understated beauty, slowly blossoming with rose petals, cedary spice and dried strawberries. It’s silky-smooth and pliant with a hint of sweet spice up front that gives way tie ripe red and blue fruits all carried across a wave of silken textures. Youthful tension slowly builds as mounting tannins tug at the cheeks and a cranberry crunchiness forms, yet all the while, residual acidity maintains perfect balance. Don’t let this seductress fool you, for all of her youthful charms, the best is yet to come. Drinking window 2025-2034
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is an understated beauty, slowly blossoming with rose petals, cedary spice and dried strawberries. It’s silky-smooth and pliant with a hint of sweet spice up front that gives way tie ripe red and blue fruits all carried across a wave of silken textures. Youthful tension slowly builds as mounting tannins tug at the cheeks and a cranberry crunchiness forms, yet all the while, residual acidity maintains perfect balance. Don’t let this seductress fool you, for all of her youthful charms, the best is yet to come. Drinking window 2025-2034
Jancis Robinson – October 2023 – 17 ++ PTS (Walter Speller)
Mid to deep ruby. Compact, youthful, perfumed red-fruit nose with hints of spice and minerally, salty notes. Focused, sleek, tangy fruit with jewel-like acidity and tightly knit tannins on the palate.
Mid to deep ruby. Compact, youthful, perfumed red-fruit nose with hints of spice and minerally, salty notes. Focused, sleek, tangy fruit with jewel-like acidity and tightly knit tannins on the palate.
Tony Wood–February 2024 – 94 PTS
Intense ruby red in colour. Old English red rose petal, violet, floral underbrush and menthol, complete the aromatic introduction. Bing cherry, loganberry, plum, Eastern spice, lead pencil, distant mocha and powdered dark chocolate. Zesty acidity is interwoven with fine polished tannins. Great length and balance.
Intense ruby red in colour. Old English red rose petal, violet, floral underbrush and menthol, complete the aromatic introduction. Bing cherry, loganberry, plum, Eastern spice, lead pencil, distant mocha and powdered dark chocolate. Zesty acidity is interwoven with fine polished tannins. Great length and balance.
Decanter –November 2023 – 94 PTS (Michaela Morris)
This Brunello is an assemblage of plots in two distinct sectors: fruit from Montalcino’s warmer, southeastern reaches near Castelnuovo dell’Abate gives density and mid-palate weight with grainy, mouth-filling tannins, while the cooler, more elevated sites around the town of Montalcino itself seem to brighten and lift the whole. From start to finish, the enchanting perfumes of the vintage pervade. Juniper, cedar, pressed rose and candied mint follow through to the palate, where juicy watermelon and strawberry take hold. It finishes with an appetising bitter herbal twistm, and while this is hard to resist, another year in the bottle will bring further cohesion.
This Brunello is an assemblage of plots in two distinct sectors: fruit from Montalcino’s warmer, southeastern reaches near Castelnuovo dell’Abate gives density and mid-palate weight with grainy, mouth-filling tannins, while the cooler, more elevated sites around the town of Montalcino itself seem to brighten and lift the whole. From start to finish, the enchanting perfumes of the vintage pervade. Juniper, cedar, pressed rose and candied mint follow through to the palate, where juicy watermelon and strawberry take hold. It finishes with an appetising bitter herbal twistm, and while this is hard to resist, another year in the bottle will bring further cohesion.
TUSCAN VINES –January 2025 – 97 PTS (John Fodera)
...In the glass, this is a classic, gorgeous ruby color. The aromatics are wonderful. Pure, vibrant cherry dominates, but there are freshly cut flowers, vineyard grass and hints of sweet fennel too. On the palate, the wine is juicy, lively and boisterous. Wild berry and cherry dance nimbly and join with sweet chestnut, trace minerality and sweet herbs. I love this. The best Il Palazzone in some time. Available directly from the winery or here with my Coupon Code. 97 points.
...In the glass, this is a classic, gorgeous ruby color. The aromatics are wonderful. Pure, vibrant cherry dominates, but there are freshly cut flowers, vineyard grass and hints of sweet fennel too. On the palate, the wine is juicy, lively and boisterous. Wild berry and cherry dance nimbly and join with sweet chestnut, trace minerality and sweet herbs. I love this. The best Il Palazzone in some time. Available directly from the winery or here with my Coupon Code. 97 points.
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2020 Brunello di Montalcino
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2019 Riserva Brunello di Montalcino
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2019 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
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2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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2018 Brunello di Montalcino
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2017 Brunello di Montalcino
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2016 Brunello di Montalcino
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2015 Riserva Brunello di Montalcino
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2015 Brunello di Montalcino