Tasting Notes
This Brunello di Montalcino gets the benefit of all of Il Palazzone’s vineyards: the trademark brightness and elegance that comes from the hill at Le Due Porte with more weight, fruit and tannic structure that come from the lower lying vineyards. It is a well-rounded wine with brightness and balance at a young age but with the body and complexity to be enjoyed more fully over time.
The nose is fruity, spicy with good definition as well as complexity. There are notes of red berries, pipe tobacco and slight eucalyptus along with hints of sweet, seductive spices. On the palate, the wine is enveloping, ethereal yet elegant. It opens with Morello cherry and blueberry along with liquorice, mandarin peel and bitter orange towards the close. On the finish, the wine offers a fresh acidity that together with fine tannins, resulting in a wine that is accessible now with excellent ageing potential.
Harvest Notes
The 2020 was a quite hot vintage but not as dry as 2019 or 2021. The vintage was distinguished by a quite cold winter, with minimum temperatures dropping below zero in February and March, along with a few rainfalls that established water reserves for the growing season. At the end of March there were some snowfalls when Germination took place however without any serious damage to the buds ready to open. Temperatures started rising at the end of May, when flowering started occurring throughout early June without anomalies, followed by an extended period of heat and dry conditions into the summer. The high average temperatures of July caused some apprehension fearing damage caused by heat burns. However, a good management of the canopy allowed us to adequately protect the grape bunches and prevent potential damages. The water reserves accumulated during the previous months were fundamental to keep the vines healthy through this period. The desired rain finally arrived in August, bringing with it dangerous thunderstorms but lowering temperatures. September was characterized by significant day-night temperature difference favouring the synthesis of the noble substances inside and outside the berries. We had patience to wait until our grapes reached a perfect balance between technological and phenolic ripeness and a relevant aromatic component before harvesting.
Reviews
KERIN O’KEEFE –November 2024 – 95 PTS
The 2020 Brunello from Il Palazzone is a fantastic expression of the vintage, starting with its beguiling aromas of forest floor, dog rose, wild berry, graphite and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus. On the palate, agile, fine-grained tannins accompany Morello cherry, cranberry, licorice and bitter orange while fresh acidity keeps it lifted. Drink 2027–2032. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe November 2024 ©kerinokeefe.com
The 2020 Brunello from Il Palazzone is a fantastic expression of the vintage, starting with its beguiling aromas of forest floor, dog rose, wild berry, graphite and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus. On the palate, agile, fine-grained tannins accompany Morello cherry, cranberry, licorice and bitter orange while fresh acidity keeps it lifted. Drink 2027–2032. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe November 2024 ©kerinokeefe.com
WINECRITIC.COM - October 2023 – 94 PTS (Raffaele Vecchione)
Precise and biting, it shows a multifaceted sensorial profile rich in memories of red plums, strawberries, geraniums, mandarin peel, lime peel, lemongrass and catmint. Full body, soft, very fine tannins and an excellent quality finish. Drink now or grow old. Tasted at: 2024-10-23
Precise and biting, it shows a multifaceted sensorial profile rich in memories of red plums, strawberries, geraniums, mandarin peel, lime peel, lemongrass and catmint. Full body, soft, very fine tannins and an excellent quality finish. Drink now or grow old. Tasted at: 2024-10-23
VINOUS – November 2024 – 92 PTS (Eric Guido)
A gorgeous blend of cherry-berry fruits, sweet autumnal spices, pipe tobacco and hints of mint waft up from the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino. Seamless and silken, it washes across the palate with ease, displaying rose-tinged red berry fruits as crystalline tannins add tactile grip toward the close. A staining of licorice and clove is left to linger as the 2020 tapers off lightly structured and with medium length. The balance here is beautiful— the 2020 comes across lifted and ethereal yet still complex. - By Eric Guido on November 2024
A gorgeous blend of cherry-berry fruits, sweet autumnal spices, pipe tobacco and hints of mint waft up from the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino. Seamless and silken, it washes across the palate with ease, displaying rose-tinged red berry fruits as crystalline tannins add tactile grip toward the close. A staining of licorice and clove is left to linger as the 2020 tapers off lightly structured and with medium length. The balance here is beautiful— the 2020 comes across lifted and ethereal yet still complex. - By Eric Guido on November 2024
JANCIS ROBINSON – October 2024 – 17 PTS (Walter Speller)
Just mid ruby. Balsamic nose with a hint of eucalyptus and slumbering cherry. Suave cherry palate with supple acidity and grainy tannins. Seems a little innocent at first and then a sudden lift of juicy acidity and cherry on the finish. (WS)
Just mid ruby. Balsamic nose with a hint of eucalyptus and slumbering cherry. Suave cherry palate with supple acidity and grainy tannins. Seems a little innocent at first and then a sudden lift of juicy acidity and cherry on the finish. (WS)
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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