TUSCANY VINTAGE GUIDE
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Year Rating Description
1945 ***** An extraordinary post-war vintage with legendary status.
1946 **** A strong vintage, with promising wines.
1947 **** A warmer vintage producing rich and ripe wines.
1948 ** A weaker vintage with less notable wines.
1949 *** An average vintage, producing balanced but unremarkable wines.
1950 *** A decent vintage with some structured wines.
1951 **** A strong and velvety vintage.
1952 *** An average vintage with decent quality.
1953 *** A solid vintage with good balance.
1954 ** A lighter vintage, with less structure.
1955 *****+ The “vintage of the century” according to Franco Biondi Santi. Iconic wines with longevity.
1956 ** A weaker vintage with light wines.
1957 **** A strong and elegant vintage.
1958 **** Balanced and aromatic wines with elegance.
1959 *** A decent vintage with balanced wines.
1960 *** An average vintage with moderate quality.
1961 *****+ An outstanding vintage with legendary wines.
1962 **** A solid vintage with balanced wines.
1963 *** An average vintage with decent wines.
1964 *****+ An extraordinary vintage, still vibrant and lively.
1965 **** A solid vintage with good balance.
1966 **** A strong vintage producing elegant wines.
1967 **** A balanced vintage with fine wines.
1968 *** A decent vintage with moderate structure.
1969 ** A weaker vintage with less complexity.
1970 *****+ A remarkable vintage with great balance and longevity.
1971 *** An average vintage with approachable wines.
1972 * A very poor vintage, with limited quality wines.
1973 *** A solid vintage with balanced wines.
1974 ** A lighter vintage with less structure.
1975 *****+ A legendary vintage producing complex and long-lived wines.
1976 * A very poor vintage, with little to note.
1977 **** A strong vintage with balanced and aromatic wines.
1978 **** A balanced vintage producing elegant wines.
1979 **** A solid vintage with good balance and structure.
1980 **** A strong vintage with elegant wines.
1981 *** An average vintage with approachable wines.
1982 **** A balanced vintage with good longevity.
1983 **** A strong vintage with well-structured wines.
1984 * A poor vintage with few notable wines.
1985 *****+ An iconic vintage with exceptional wines.
1986 *** An average vintage producing decent wines.
1987 *** A moderate vintage with balanced wines.
1988 ***** A remarkable vintage with excellent balance and complexity.
1989 ** A weaker vintage with less structured wines.
1990 *****+ A legendary vintage with rich and complex wines, excellent aging potential.
1991 ***** Another outstanding vintage with exceptional quality wines.
1992 ** A weaker vintage due to challenging weather conditions.
1993 **** A solid vintage with structured and balanced wines.
1994 **** A good vintage with approachable wines.
1995 *****+ + Structured and firm, yet fruity; very good indeed.
1996 *** Fruity and aromatic, but slightly diluted.
1997 *****+ + Extremely aromatic; structured and racy wines.
1998 **** Perfumed, harmonious, and delicious wines.
1999 **** Generous, tannic, and fruity wines with velvety texture.
2000 *** Aromatic, soft, and for early drinking.
2001 *****+ Great wines with wonderful structure, focus, and balance.
2002 ** A wet growing season resulted in mediocre wines.
2003 **** Rich, powerful, and thick wines; some lack focus.
2004 *****+ Wonderfully perfumed and majestically refined Brunellos.
2005 **** Rains during harvest dampened quality, but still a very good vintage.
2006 *****+ Complex and powerful wines with Great aging potential.
2007 **** Hotter and riper; fruit-forward, rich, and elegant wines.
2008 **** A cool growing season produced balanced and elegant wines.
2009 **** Warm summer gave elegant, fruity, and balanced wines.
2010 *****+ Perfect late summer weather produced Structured and elegant wines.
2011 **** A warm year with lively and balanced wines.
2012 *****+ Rich, concentrated wines with ripe fruit and freshness.
2013 **** Classic, vibrant Brunellos with mineral notes.
2014 *** A cooler year with lighter wines.
2015 *****+ Outstanding vintage producing elegant and Structured wines.
2016 *****+ Exceptional vintage with balance, depth, and elegance.
2017 **** Spring and summer were warm and especially dry, with slightly more rain in the north; the best wines are balanced and fresh for enjoying over the near term.
2018 **** A rainy spring and July storms led to swollen berries by harvest; cool weather in September resulted in fine ripening; the best are aromatic, elegant, and fresh.
2019 *****+ Consistent weather with warm days, cool nights, and well-timed rain resulted in pure, fruit-filled Brunellos that combine elegance and power; the top wines rival the best 2016s.
2020 **** A warm, dry growing season produced generous, fruit-forward Brunellos with softer structure and dark fruit tones; while not built for the long haul, the best wines are plush and immediate, ideal for medium-term drinking.