2019 Brunello
by Jack Chapman
You will be ‘Spoiled for choice’ – Michael Morris MW, Decanter.com
We don’t have another vintage of such volumetric importance and uniform quality in the foreseeable future. – Monica Larner, RobertParker.com
Montalcino continues to create world-class wines of the highest calibre and, in most cases, at reasonable price points. – Eric Guido, Vinous.com
‘When a year is this great, there is no need to say anything’, is a quote I will pinch from a producer in Brunello, whilst I struggle to add anything of value to the sentiment. 2019, or 2016? This will be the debate. Which you favour will simply come down to preference, but both represent the very finest Brunello can offer.
2019 was easy. There was enough rain in winter to top up the water table, April and May were quite cool, so there was little disease pressure, and the summer was wonderfully sunny, but without many excessive heat spikes. There was also the odd scattered shower, just to keep things fresh.
At harvest, fine conditions meant most producers could pick at their leisure, choosing optimum moments to do so.
The resulting wines are outstanding, with the only danger being over-extraction in the winery. Where 2016 is very elegant and fresh, 2019 is forward, fleshy and bold – both have enormous structure and will be incredibly age worthy, but where 2016 is a sleeper, 2019s will be the sort of wine you are happy to open from day one, to year 20.
All our producers below made some of their best wines, reflected by all achieving some of their highest scores ever. Carlo & Bianca Ferrini’s magical Giodo was even given the highest score in the whole region by RobertParker.com.
There is an embarrassment of riches here. World class wine at very modest prices. Unless you are deathly allergic to Sangiovese, I recommend stockpiling as much as you can – I don’t think we will ever see these prices again.
If you have any questions about the wines or would like to place an order, please email your account manager or privateclients@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
REVIEWS
Michaela Morris – Decanter
You will be ‘Spoiled for choice’
Monica Larner, – RobertParker.com
'We don’t have another vintage of such volumetric importance and uniform quality in the foreseeable future.’
Eric Guido – Vinous
'Montalcino continues to create world-class wines of the highest caliber and, in most cases, at reasonable price points.'