Gianni Brunelli - Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Decanter

About the wine:

As with the 2017 vintage, Laura Brunelli will not be releasing a Riserva. Instead, the Olmo vineyard—which typically forms the backbone of the Riserva—plays a significant role in this Brunello vintage, resulting in a pleasant and well-rounded wine. Mint, lavender, and fennel dominate the nose, while sweet, juicy persimmon and crisp pomegranate form the backdrop on the palate, and the chalky tannins are rather sly. The accessibility is superficial, but the substance intrigues and the structure suggests even more. 2023–2033

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

Wine Spectator

About the wine:

This red wine, with notes of cherry and raspberry, also offers flavors of eucalyptus, minerals, earth, and almond. Vibrant and well-balanced, it has an intense, rich finish. Best enjoyed from 2025 through 2042.

Vinous

About the wine:

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, with its dark and alluring appearance, bursts from the glass with a blend of crushed plums and black cherries, complemented by hints of rubbed sage. The texture is smooth and deep, enveloping the palate with ripe wild berries and spices, underscored by a herbaceous note. A network of fine tannins lingers, creating a truly classic impression, while minty herbs and notes of wild strawberries linger on and on. This beauty, masked by its youth, will need only a short time in the cellar to reveal its best. 2025–2033

James Suckling

About the wine:

An enticing nose of rosemary, wild cherries, lemon zest, chocolate-covered strawberries, and praline. It is medium-bodied with a lively, fruity palate, supported by fine-grained tannins. Everything is in perfect balance. Best enjoyed starting in 2023.