2019 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO: 12 Top Wines (Wine Collecting)

[@margauxml]

I’ve been looking forward to this video, ever since your post on another social media platform. Thank you for sharing your top favorites from that 70-wine degustation or, in your case, 69 to be exact. Greatly appreciate all your insights and assessments with regard to the wines you enjoyed. I’m glad you got to taste and evaluate Argiano even if the vintage is different from the controversial no.1 on the WS Top 100 Wines of 2023. Also appreciate the background information on Brunello, the learnings you have imparted with us on this video, the discussion of the terroir and climate in Montalcino among others. Most certainly a fantastic way to spend my Saturday night. I’ll be on the lookout for these Brunello beauties when they become available in the market. Santé, John!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much Margaux! Very pleased you enjoyed the video! Really a fantastic vintage for Brunello! Hopefully you will have some in your market, and the prices will be reasonable. I definitely think you will want to add some of these to your cellar! Santé!

[@margauxml]

@@AttorneySomm My pleasure, John! I think I may have to fly to Italy for this.😂 BdM isn’t easy to find here and the prices are crazy. There was one excellent Brunello I bought in Montalcino, some years ago, for just 30 euros. Here, it was being sold for 85 euros. Though I was more shocked about the fact that it was even available here.😂

[@johnsantanasto6177]

I've been rewatching your videos that cover Brunello - they are all excellent! Thank you!! I have always been a fan of Il Poggione, but so glad you introduced me to La Gerla. Our group really enjoys that style. And following your lead we have used the La Gerla Rosso as a "Cellar Defender". Just recently enjoyed the 2022.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! So glad to hear that! La Gerla is such an excellent producer. Appreciate you letting me know! 👍🍷

[@kristiannelson1851]

Incredible video as always! Just starting my wine journey and binging your videos! Learning so much, thank you! I was wondering; knowing that 2019 is a great vintage for the Brunello's, from a collecting / cellaring standpoint, would you buy a number of the original 2019's on the shelf now, or wait until next year when the 2019 Riserva's come out? Thanks so much once again!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! So glad you enjoy the channel! Great question! I recommend getting both, actually. The annata will be less costly and also generally able to be enjoyed earlier. The Riservas are definitely a level up in terms of price, quality and often ability to age as well.

[@kristiannelson1851]

@@AttorneySomm Ahh, makes sense! Thanks! Well, I think there's a pick 6 sale going on this weekend so looks like I'll need to get some 2019 Il Poggione's and Argiano's in there!😁 Thanks so much again!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@kristiannelson1851 Sounds great! The Il Poggione in particular is tremendous!

[@Kitty-Cattie]

Omg I came for a review, but stayed for the history lesson. Thank you for educating me. You mentioned there were 3 original brunello producers. Il Poggione is one- what are the other 2? 💐

[@AttorneySomm]

@@Kitty-Cattie Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video! Great question! Biondi-Santi was first. The other one is Fattoria dei Barbi. I did a separate video re Biondi Santi following my visit there a couple years ago. Happy to send you that video if you would like to see it.

[@Kitty-Cattie]

@AttorneySomm Oh! I saw the Biondi one. You took a trip there 🎉. I haven't heard about the Fattoria before. I'll look into this house. Thank you!

[@AttorneySomm]

@ My pleasure! One of my favorite regions.

[@timdijkema1743]

Great video, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ucchelliera started my BdM fascination and I’ve been a fan of La Gerla as well. Good to know they perform again in this strong vintage. But you also mentioned some names unknown to me, to there is still a lot to discover. Salute!

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Very glad you enjoyed it! Definitely a very exciting vintage with lots of outstanding wines!

[@margauxml]

Thank you so much for the pin, John! Sincerely appreciate it!

[@AttorneySomm]

You’re very welcome Margaux! Well deserved.

[@pjyothi6533]

Enjoy your videos. Is that Brunello event like UGC for BDX? And is it open to public?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! This event was limited to wine trade and wine media. Hopefully there will be similar opportunities for consumers after the wines are released.

[@numanuma20]

So cool that you got to try all those Brunellos. I may need to get those when they come out and age them.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Definitely a terrific opportunity! I was excited to share my thoughts! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

[@stevenholt4936]

Thanks, John. Terrific video. As I mentioned the other day I have the opportunity to buy the 2019 EP. The only wine you mentioned that is on the Wine Society list is Il Poggione. I would be grateful if you could let me know what you thought of these, if you tasted: Val di Suga; Buon Tempo; Caprili; and Ciacci (two including Pianrosso). The others in the TWS offer cost more than I wish to pay. If you didn't taste any of these I am tempted to go for Il Poggione. Thanks for your help.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you, Steven! Glad you enjoyed it. Of the wines you mentioned, I did taste Caprili and Val di Suga. I did enjoy the Val di Suga Poggio al Granchio. The others were solid and enjoyable, but neither standouts nor disappointing. I was not a fan of the Caprili wines - I tasted the 19 and an 18 Riserva. and actually wrote "NO" in the margin of my wine list by both wines.

[@stevenholt4936]

​@@AttorneySommMuch appreciated, John. I have bid for the Il Poggione half-case and will know shortly after 13th December whether I have been successful. I have also allowed TWS to substitute in the event of over-subscription, given the rave reviews for the 2019s. I am currently drinking the 2015 Val di Suga, with Buon Tempo, 2016 the next in the queue. I also secured three bottles of 2018 something in last year's offer (which I swore would be my last EP purchase - too many good years around at the moment 😊).

[@AttorneySomm]

@@stevenholt4936 Sounds good! Hope your bid is successful! It’s a terrific wine!

[@wanderersinblack]

Thank you for the video & info. Cheers from Melbourne !

[@AttorneySomm]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@frederikfilez8145]

What is your opinion on the Brunello from Banfi?

[@AttorneySomm]

Great question! I tried a few Banfi new releases at this tasting. For stylistic reasons, they were not my personal favorites as they seemed to have more new oak and sweeter fruit. Having said that I have enjoyed some from the 90s and early 00s with some age.

[@jamesnordbeck382]

Great informative video. Would you expect the 2019 Barolo's to be a great vintage like the 2019 Brunello's?

[@AttorneySomm]

Thank you! Yes, 2019 was very strong in Piemonte as well.

[@andrewwebster15]

In general, how long would you recommend aging the 2019’s from good producers? I believe you’ve shared it’s one of those wines with a “dead zone”

[@AttorneySomm]

The Il Poggione winemaker told me that he waits 10 years in strong vintages (except for the bottles he enjoys on release) and that has worked well for me as well.

[@Ethnrnr]

10 years after release or after harvest? Thanks!

[@AttorneySomm]

@@Ethnrnr 10 from harvest.

[@rejaneparreira6356]

I like your review !!!! Photos and vídeos too!!!! Saúde!!!!!🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

Muito obrigado! Saude! 🍷🍷

[@pedroguimaraes7643]

Did you try Constanti, Fuligni, Salvioni and Poggio di Sotto? If so any comments?

[@AttorneySomm]

Unfortunately none of those were included in the 70 wines at the Dallas tasting.

[@sanjaypatelmd4669]

Where do we buy them?

[@AttorneySomm]

They will be widely available in January.

[@baggrabb]

Wonderful video as always. I am new to brunello, and a knowledgeable collector friend introduced me to the wine with Il Poggione. Sort of ruined me for other makers 😉. I’m short of space to bring in multiples of 2019. So many choices… One question: I’m curious why you report other critics “100 point” system scores, but don’t do your own. TBH I’m glad you don’t, and just stick to buy recommendations. I know the is pressure on professional reviewers to score wines. Hoping you stay away from it.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it! Sounds like you will be enjoying some wine this month to make room! Yes I include scores from others because many people find it useful and have a palate like that of a particular critic. But I prefer to explain the wine style and story rather than assigning a score. No plans to score them any time soon. Cheers!

[@baggrabb]

@@AttorneySomm thanks, glad to hear it. I pay attention to only a few critics, and need a by-line to give the score any weight. I absolutely ignore a bunch of critics, for sure…

[@Ruirspirul]

I am confused, are 25 year old vines considered to be “old vines”? thats crazy

[@AttorneySomm]

In Montalcino, for an annata (not riserva), that is impressive average vineyard age. Many of the vineyards have had to be replanted, which brings down the overall average age. Also, the vast majority of vineyards in Montalcino have been planted in the last 30-40 years. The fruit from the oldest vines typically go into the Riservas.

[@DrinkinItIn]

Wow, quite a tasting.

[@AttorneySomm]

Thanks! A terrific opportunity to get a feel for this upcoming release. Was excited to share the results!

[@willyegli9290]

Ciacci Piccolomini🍷

[@AttorneySomm]

I still need to try it! Thank you.