Attention to Detail

Top Brunello di Montalcino producers countered heat stress with precision in the vineyard and cellar

Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi’s Castelgiocondo estate in Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany
Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi’s 2020 Brunello Castelgiocondo and 2019 Castelgiocondo Riserva bottlings earned outstanding and classic scores, respectively, in this report. (Courtesy of Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi)

The 2020 growing season brought challenges for vintners in Montalcino, hinging primarily on the year’s hot, dry summer. Fortunately, there were ample spring rains, then, depending on location within the denomination, a few rains in early summer. More important, rainfall at the end of August and cooler weather in September helped usher the vines to full ripeness. With thoughtful work in the cellar, a beautiful vintage was produced. Learn all about the 2020 Brunellos and 2019 riservas tasted over the past year by Wine Spectator senior editor Bruce Sanderson in this report. 

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