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Brunello di Montalcino: The 10 must-know estates

The producers of Montalcino are steadfast in their dedication to the Sangiovese grape – they even have their own name for it. Monty Waldin picks 10 top wineries from the DOCG region, exploring their differing approaches to this singular red variety and the noble wines it makes.

Tuscany’s Montalcino region is shaped like a four-sided pyramid,whose well-sheltered, well-drained topography is bright, breezy and especially vine friendly. It’s also an incredibly beautiful place to live, sparsely populated and far from motorways and heavy industry.

Half of Montalcino’s land is wild, either grassland or oak and chestnut forests teeming with wild boar and roebuck (permitted local delicacies), plus protected rare owls, eagles and amphibians.

Sangiovese is the only grape variety permitted for Montalcino’s two flagship red wines: the puzzlingly under-appreciated Rosso di Montalcino DOC, which can be sold after one year, oak ageing optional; and the globally acclaimed Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, which ages for a minimum of two years in oak and four years overall before release.


Scroll down for Monty’s tasting notes and scores from 10 must-know Brunello di Montalcino estates



The 10 must-know Brunello di Montalcino estates tasted:


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