2021 Brunello di Montalcino Pre-releases
Pre-shipment Offer
Fuligni
Founded in 1923 by Giovanni Fuligni, the estate today is co-owned by Robert Guerrini Fuligni and his delightful aunt Maria Flora Fuligni. Roberto works closely with his strong team of Simone Bacconi as agronomist and Daniele Zeffirini as winemaker, with additional technical advice from Federico Ricci in the vineyards, and oenologist father and son Paolo and Jacopo Vagaggini. These are all kept under control by Daniela Perino, who runs the office and commercial side.
The estate covers 100 hectares, of which 14 are under vine, almost all planted with Sangiovese, with a small amount of Merlot for the IGT blend. Most of the land is in a strip on the eastern side of Montalcino, the classic and historical area for the production of Brunello, in localitá Cottimelli. What is important is the combined height of the vineyards (350-440m), the density of planting, age of the vines (14-40) and the 'galestro' soils on which they are planted. Fuligni's wines have reached international recognition for their purity of expression, strong backbone of acidity and polished tannins.
These are simply the finest wines of Brunello, epitomising all that is great from the region. The 'Rosso' now comes from a defined part of the vineyard, on clay and tufa rather than the marl of the Brunello. It is made from the outset as a Rosso, with different clones and the intention to make a wine which will be approachable at a much younger age.
L&S's relationship with Roberto goes back to the mid-nineties. We have always loved the wines here, which combine the concentration and elegance of the best of Brunello. They can be drunk more or less from release, and are so perfectly balanced that they age beautifully. The 'Riserva' releases, made only in the best years, can reward cellaring for decades.
2020 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Centenario Fuligni 1920 Riserva Fuligni
This wine bears a special banner on the front label to celebrate the estate’s centenarian anniversary from 1920 to 2020, marking a milestone for one of Montalcino’s longstanding winemaking families.This wine bears a special banner on the front label to celebrate the estate’s centenarian anniversary from 1920 to 2020, marking a milestone for one of Montalcino’s longstanding winemaking families. The Fuligni 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva shows sweet fruit, soft tannins and medium- to full-bodied structure, with a profile that is more open and approachable than usual for the category. While it is already generous and giving, the wine should still reward further cellar aging thanks to its balance and underlying structure, a hallmark of Fuligni’s traditionally styled Riservas. The wine sees four years of aging in large Slavonian oak casks and is released in a limited production of 6,000 bottles. Drinking range: 2026 - 2043 Rating: 95 Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate (www.robertparker.com) (Jan 2026)
In Bond
2021 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Fuligni
Release date: 12/2/2026
Lustrous mid ruby. Fine, concentrated cherry and raspberry nose with a subtle oak note. Fluid, elegant and at the same time concentrated and refined. Long, perfumed finish with grainy tannins thatLustrous mid ruby. Fine, concentrated cherry and raspberry nose with a subtle oak note. Fluid, elegant and at the same time concentrated and refined. Long, perfumed finish with grainy tannins that follow the fruit. Simply gorgeous. Drinking range: 2028 - 2040 Rating: 18/20 Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com (Oct 2025)
In Bond
In Bond
Collemattoni
This is a small, 13-hectare estate, spread across the Southwest and Southeast of Montalcino. The winery (and some of these 13 hectares), sits in San Angelo in Colle on the southern side of the hill of Montalcino, nestling above the famous and rather larger Col d'Orcia vineyards (145 hectares). Winemaker Marcello Bucci is making wonderfully good wines which have rapidly increased both in quality and international recognition.
With his new winery now well and truly bedded in Marcello is thriving with the greater control and flexibility he now has - this is an estate going from strength to strength and the wines have a real true imprint of these beautiful rolling hills and Marcello's gentle manner. The wines from these vineyards are fuller and riper perhaps, than Fuligni or Padelletti. However, where there may be less lacy finesse, they more than compensate with indulgent joy, not to mention with their pricing. Collemattoni make some of the best value wines of the region.
Giodo
'Eleganza, eleganza, eleganza' is the mantra of the famed oenologist Carlo Ferrini. Since the first vintage in 2009, this estate has fast become something of a cult classic, immediately amongst the established top Montalcino producers.
Carlo's stellar career started with fifteen years researching Sangiovese clones for the Chianti Classico Consorzio and subsequently he has consulted at some of the greatest estates in Italy. In 2009 he finally put down some roots of his own, putting his full effort and expertise, his heart and soul - into his own winery in Montalcino. Named after his parents 'Giovanna and Donatello' - Giodo is small, just 5.5 Hectares - but perfectly formed.
Carlo spent many years looking for the best spot for his own venture. Just south of the town of Montalcino he found the site for Giodo. South-east facing, gentle slopes in small parcels surrounded by forest, perfectly exposed to the morning and early afternoon sun, and looking out towards Monte Amiata. He planted fifteen different clones of Sangiovese, all selected for their quality of fruit and their low yields, using his earlier experience to select the very best for this site.
The winery itself, it should come as no surprise, is a minimalist work of art and the culmination of Carlo's experience in designing the perfect tool for the job for his clients over the years. The vat room has both stainless steel and concrete vats, and the barrel cellar has a variety of amphorae as well as multiple sizes of barrels.
Padelletti
The Padellettis are one of Montalcino's oldest families, and one with an illustrious past, stretching back into the 13th century at least. In 1529, Giovanni Padelletti, an architect, was given charge of a section of wall and two gates for the defence of the city against the Spanish invaders, and his descendants still own them. Under the Medicis they had to lie low, but by 1576 they are again listed as owning land and vineyards.
From this six hectares they select less than a quarter of the grapes for Brunello, so this is a charmingly small production of the utmost quality. Traditional practices are respected with the winemaking, where the wine is fermented in cement tanks and aged in large Slavonian oak casks in their original cellars in central Montalcino, on Via Guido e Dino Padelletti, right under the family's historic house.
‘Padelletti holds the traditional line in the extreme northeast of Montalcino. Their properties are some of the highest-elevation vineyards in the area (between 400-430 meters) and are insulated by surrounding forests. The wines are always pure representations of vintage and place, communicating a throw-back style without ever coming across as rustic.’
Eric Guido – Vinous.com
Tenuta San Guido Incisa della Rocchetta
