I could not be more pleased with 2020 Brunello di Montalcino – Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Following an excellent vintage, which was described as historical, is not an easy task but, we are pleased to confirm that 2020 is indeed a vintage worth considering for purchase and enjoyment as stated in James Suckling's report.
Despite being a hot year, with a dry and scorching summer, 2020 is not as concentrated, deep and powerful as 2019 or 2016 but the wines are fresh, silky and fruit-forward. They are not jammy or overly alcoholic and can be enjoyed in their youth, thanks to their polished tannins and vibrant acidity.
"This is not a vintage to skip, nor is it just a "restaurant vintage." The successful wines of 2020 are absolutely gorgeous." – Eric Guido, Vinous.
Montalcino's Terroir
Just like most wine regions, exposition, slope and wind are important factors when growing grapes, however, altitude plays a major role in Montalcino and can vary between 200 and 600 metres above the sea. The higher the vines, the more acidity in the grapes meaning the wines deliver fresher aromatics.
Most of the area is composed with marl mixed with calcareous soil on top of a base of clay which results in full-bodied and age-worthy wines. Towards the south, the soils are more sandy meaning more aromatic wines with softer tannins.
2020 - A Special Vintage
2020 was marked by the pandemic and all of us were locked down. As difficult as it was, it turned out to be an asset for winemakers. They spent more times in their vineyards, and some adopted a vine-by-vine approach. There were also no planes, no cars and therefore a lot less pollution.
Another point to take into consideration is how growers and winemakers are learning to manage hot and dry vintages. Working the canopies to shade the fruit, adjusting the yields to reduce unwanted water-stress, picking the harvest time to achieve optimum ripeness and, adjusting the length of the maceration to extract the right level of tannins have become crucial.
What Can We Expect?
Jancis Robinson thinks blends have the advantage in this vintage. A bigger choice when selecting parcels gives the winemaker more control over the level of acidity and ripeness which was very important in 2020.
Vineyards at higher altitude and/or located on the north on Montalcino, especially the legendary Montosoli cru, are source of some of the best examples of Brunello 2020, with some single vineyards being exquisite.
2020 – The Growing Season
2020 was a hot year but not as dry as the previous vintage. Rainfall between October and December 2019 replenish the water reserves. Winter was cold with temperature below 0°C while Spring had well-timed rains which helped a healthy flowering. The canopy took place early summer just in time before the temperatures started to rise, reaching up to 40°C. This stopped the vegetative process of the vines however, rains at the end of August cool down the temperatures. It also created diurnal temperature shifts allowing the producers to delay the harvest until their vines reached the phenolic ripeness.
2020's Top Recomendations
Casanova di Neri
The 2020s at this address are drop-dead gorgeous – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino – 94 Vinous | 94 RP
2020 Brunello di Montalcino Giovanni Neri – 95+ Vinous | 97 RP
2020 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova - 95 Vinous | 96 RP | 95 Decanter
Le Potazzine
an unqualified success of the 2020 vintage – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino – 96+ Vinous | 95 RP
Salvioni
deep, complex, structured and completely atypical of the vintage – Robert Parker
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 96 Vinous | 97 RP
Il Marroneto
Classic to the core, which is completely atypical of the vintage – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 96 Vinous | 96 RP
2020 Brunello di Montalcino La Madonna delle Grazie - 98 Vinous | 98 RP | 97 Decanter
Poggio di Sotto
The 2020 Brunello from Poggio di Sotto is a class act – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino – 94+ Vinous | 97+ RP
Baricci
from vineyards on the hill of Montosoli, Baricci continues to show superior refinement. The 2020 is a superb example. - Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 96 Vinous
Castello Romitorio
Filippo Chia and his team kill it in this vintage – Robert Parker
2020 Brunello di Montalcino Filo di Seta - 93 Vinous | 98 RP
Mastrojanni
Located in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, an area that excelled in the 2020 vintage – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 92 Vinous | 94+ RP
Le Ragnaie
An outstanding wine from Le Ragnaie. Showing unescapable mineral definition – Robert Parker
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 93 Vinous | 95 RP
Giodo
a balanced, medium-plus intensity wine that delivers excellent focus and sharpness – Robert Parker
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 93 Vinous | 96 RP | 97 Decanter
Biondi Santi
Biondi-Santi continues to make strides toward purity while maintaining a level of quality and prestige that honors the famous history of this storied estate – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino – Awaiting scores
Fuligni
For fans of Brunello who haven't begun stockpiling Fuligni: what are you waiting for? – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 95 Vinous | 94+ RP
Argiano
a fantastic job of maintaining a solid core of vibrant fruit to offset the high acidity and extract of the season, lending these wines a lovely balance. – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 93 Vinous | 94 RP | 94 Decanter
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona
Despite its depth and concentration, the 2020 maintains energy while coming across as wonderfully refined -Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 94 Vinous | 93 RP
2020 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso – 94+ Vinous | 93 RP
Altesino
The 2020s at Altesino are beautiful wines that show the aromatics and energy of this sun-kissed vintage yet maintain outstanding balance – Vinous
2020 Brunello di Montalcino - 92 Vinous | 95 RP | 92 Decanter