Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2009

Gianni Brunelli is one of Montalcino’s most respected boutique estates, founded in the 1980s by Gianni Brunelli and today run by his wife Laura Brunelli. Despite its modest size, the estate has earned an outstanding reputation for producing elegant, terroir driven Brunello from two exceptional vineyard sites: Le Chiuse di Sotto, north-east of Montalcino, and Podernovone near Castelnuovo dell’Abate. These contrasting vineyards combine galestro, marl, clay and limestone soils, producing wines of remarkable finesse, structure and complexity. The estate practises organic viticulture, with every vineyard worked by hand to promote biodiversity, healthy soils and naturally balanced vines. In the cellar, the philosophy is one of traditional, low-intervention winemaking, relying on indigenous yeast fermentations, gentle extraction and extended ageing in large Slavonian oak casks to preserve the purity of the fruit and faithfully express each vineyard and vintage. The warm, dry 2009 vintage produced Brunellos with generous fruit, polished tannins and the concentration to reward long ageing.

Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2009 is made from 100% Sangiovese, selected from the estate’s finest vineyard parcels and produced only in exceptional vintages. Following hand harvesting, the grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with gentle pump overs and extended maceration to build structure while preserving elegance and purity of fruit. The wine is matured for approximately 36 months in large Slavonian oak botti, where slow oxygen exchange refines the tannins and enhances complexity without masking the character of the Sangiovese, before further bottle ageing prior to release. The wine opens with aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry, dried rose, tobacco, leather, balsamic herbs and sweet spice, supported by savoury earthy notes and vibrant minerality. The palate is powerful yet beautifully poised, with silky tannins, fresh acidity and exceptional length. It pairs wonderfully with bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised beef, venison, wild boar and mature Pecorino. Drinking magnificently now, it still has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully for another decade or more. The wine received exceptional critical acclaim, including scores up to 99 points, with Antonio Galloni describing it as “a breathtaking Brunello of striking finesse, purity and pedigree.”