Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Le Chiuse di Sotto – 2021

This small but very fine Brunello producer is ideally situated, with vines just below those of Biondi Santi in the southeast of Montalcino, as well as a small vineyard  (called Le Chiuse) of old Sangiovese vines planted in 1947 to the north of the town.

Quite simply, this wine is the reason I love Brunello di Montalcino! With its complex array of dark cherry, tobacco, and earthy flavours, vibrant, slightly balsamic acidity and rich, silky tannins, it is the ultimate, completely classic Tuscan red! 97/100 PL.

“A polished and finely detailed expression, the Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto 2021 Brunello di Montalcino showcases tension and subtle sweetness carried across a taut, silky palate with beautifully textured tannins. Dusty mineral notes add definition and lift, while the overall impression remains ethereal and weightless, a hallmark of the estate’s precision with Sangiovese in this classic vintage. The wine balances finesse and structure with remarkable poise.” 96+/100 The Wine Advocate

“Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto is a finely tuned Brunello estate that farms in several distinct zones of the appellation. Podernovone is a cool and windy site at 500 meters above sea level that includes two high-performing hectares on the crest of a hill known as Vigna Oliva. Le Chiuse di Sotto sits at 280 meters above sea level, where cooler soils are valued for the acidity they bring to the wines. A newly planted half-hectare parcel of Sangiovese in the Chiuse area, planted three years ago and now entering production, is intended to provide additional fruit over time to offset the estate’s famously severe quality selection. This mosaic of sites reflects the late Gianni Brunelli’s belief that Brunello achieves its greatest expression through blending complementary terroirs rather than relying on a single vineyard.” Wine Advocate