Brunello di Montalcino 2020 vs 2019: A Vintage Showdown in Rome with Wine Critics

Now in its tenth year, the annual Brunello di Montalcino vintage challenge, organized by Vinodabere, provided an engaging platform for wine professionals to evaluate and discuss the unique characteristics of the 2020 and 2019 vintages. Held at the VII Coorte Restaurant in Rome, the event featured a blind tasting of 65 samples judged by a panel of 30 sommeliers, restaurateurs, and wine journalists.

The 2020 vintage narrowly outperformed 2019, winning by just 0.2 points, with 19 tasters favoring 2020, 7 choosing 2019, and 4 declaring a tie. Notably, the top three wines of the tasting were all from the 2020 vintage, underscoring its exceptional showing. The event also coincided with Vinodabere’s anniversary, highlighting the vibrant potential of Brunello di Montalcino 2020 as it prepares for its official release in January.

What is Brunello di Montalcino?

Brunello di Montalcino originated in the 19th century when farmers identified "Brunello" or "Brunellino," a native grape later classified as Sangiovese. Its extraordinary aging potential was demonstrated in 1875 with a 32-year-old Brunello from 1843 praised for its exceptional preservation and distinctive qualities. Produced within Montalcino’s historical borders, spanning 24,000 hectares with only 15% dedicated to vineyards, the region’s diverse soils, elevations (120–650 meters), and Mediterranean climate, tempered by Mount Amiata, create microclimates ideal for cultivating Sangiovese. Meticulous vineyard practices like manual pruning and selective harvesting ensure Brunello’s superior quality.

Known for its brilliant garnet hue, intense bouquet of undergrowth, berries, and light vanilla, and its robust, harmonious taste, Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of elegance and longevity, requiring at least two years in oak and four months in bottles (six for Riserva). Depending on the vintage, it can age gracefully for 10 to 30 years or more when stored correctly. The modern legacy began with Clemente Santi, whose 1865 vintage earned international acclaim, even surpassing French wines in Paris and Bordeaux. From a rarity for connoisseurs, Brunello became a global symbol of Italian excellence, achieving DOC status in 1966 and becoming Italy’s first DOCG wine in 1980, cementing its place among the world’s finest wines.

Brunello di Montalcino 2020

The Brunello di Montalcino 2020 vintage, set to debut on January 1, 2025, has been hailed as captivating, brilliant, and succulent. Confirming the judgment of a 5-star harvest, this vintage reflects favorable climatic conditions and exceptional grape quality. The season featured a dry spring, balanced rainfall in June and August, and only brief heat waves during the summer, resulting in a consistent and even ripening of Sangiovese grapes. Higher-altitude areas benefited from thermal mitigation, preserving the aromatic complexity and structural integrity of the wines.

The 2020 vintage is characterized by ripe, complex fruit expressions complemented by floral nuances. Its balance of acidity, refined tannins, and alcohol warmth suggests immediate drinkability while showcasing strong aging potential. Stylistic diversity is evident, with wines ranging from delicate and crisp to bold and concentrated, influenced by varying terroirs and winemaking approaches. Consistency across samples underscores the stability of the growing season, while elevated polyphenol and anthocyanin levels point to rich structure and color. Overall, the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino offers a harmonious blend of finesse and power, making it a vintage of both immediate appeal and long-term promise.

Brunello di Montalcino 2019

The 2019 harvest was truly exceptional, thanks to the excellent quality of the grapes. The weather was steady throughout the year, with a cold and rainy start. Spring showers provided the soil with plenty of water, which helped the vines stay healthy during a moderately warm summer without extreme heat or heavy rain. These conditions were ideal for growing strong, healthy vines.

In September, mild temperatures and big swings between daytime heat and cooler nights allowed the grapes to ripen perfectly. The vines benefited from just the right balance of humidity, sunlight, and ventilation at every stage of their growth. By harvest time, the grapes were juicy and full of flavor, with rich tannins. Wines from this vintage have shown great balance and high levels of compounds that promise deep color, rich flavor, and the potential to develop even more complexity over time.

Participants in the Blind Tasting

The tasting, conducted by a panel of 30 experts, was carried out strictly blind, with participants unaware of the vintage being sampled. The panel featured prominent figures from the food and wine world, ensuring a diverse and professional evaluation. This edition’s success underscores the enduring appeal of Brunello di Montalcino and its capacity to inspire meaningful discussions within the wine community. Below is the list of participants, arranged alphabetically by first name:

Alberto Chiarenza (food and wine critic)
Antonella Piga (sommelier)
Antonio Paolini (food and wine journalist)
Daniele Moroni (food and wine critic)
Delia Giri (restaurateur)
Emanuele Giannone (food and wine critic)
Federico Gabriele (food and wine critic)
Franco Santini (food and wine critic)
Giampaolo Gravina (food and wine critic)
Gianmarco Nulli Gennari (food and wine journalist)
Gianni Travaglini (food and wine critic)
Giuseppe Garozzo (food and wine critic)
Luca Grippo (food and wine journalist)
Luca Matarazzo (food and wine journalist)
Luciano Lombardi (food and wine critic)
Marco Carnevali (sommelier)
Marco Dall’Asta (food and wine journalist)
Marco Sciarrini (food and wine critic)
Maurizio Gabriele (food and wine critic)
Maurizio Valeriani (food and wine journalist)
Paolo Carpino (food and wine journalist)
Paolo Frugoni (agent)
Pino Perrone (food and wine critic)
Raffaele Mosca (food and wine critic)
Roberto Alloi (food and wine critic)
Rowena Dumlao (food and wine critic)
Samuele Parrinello (sommelier)
Simone Di Giorgio (sommelier)
Susanna Schivardi (food and wine journalist)
Vittorio Ferla (food and wine journalist)

Top 25 Brunello di Montalcino Wines from the Tasting Panel

The tasting panel highlighted the 2020 vintage’s slight advantage over 2019, with a narrow margin of 0.2 points separating the two. Despite the close scores, 2020 emerged as the favorite among 19 tasters, compared to 7 for 2019 and 4 expressing no preference. Its strength was further demonstrated by the top 25 wines, all scoring above 91 points, with the top three positions exclusively occupied by 2020 labels. This result solidifies the 2020 vintage’s exceptional quality and strong potential for acclaim.

Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Franco Pacenti
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – La Magia
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Tornesi
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Mastrojanni
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Lisini
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Celestino Pecci
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Villa al Cortile
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Celestino Pecci
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Pian delle Querci
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Pinino
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Tenuta La Leak
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Máté
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Pian delle Querci
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Sesti Castello di Argiano
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Argiano
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Argiano
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Castello Tricerchi
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Fattoria dei Barbi
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Tornesi
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Fattoi
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Villa al Cortile
Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – Franco Pacenti
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Donatella Cinelli Colombini – Prime Donne Project
Brunello di Montalcino 2020 – Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Standout Rosso di Montalcino Wines

The tasting also included 16 Rosso di Montalcino wines, with 6 from the 2023 vintage, 9 from 2022, and 1 from 2021. Vinodabere highlighted the careful evaluation of each vintage. Below are the wines that stood out the most:

Rosso di Montalcino 2022 – Collemattoni
Rosso di Montalcino 2022 – Scopone
Rosso di Montalcino 2023 – Fattoria dei Barbi
Rosso di Montalcino 2022 – Fattoi
Rosso di Montalcino 2023 – Tornesi
Rosso di Montalcino 2022 – Donatella Cinelli Colombini
Rosso di Montalcino 2023 – Camigliano