The Le Chiuse 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is a lovely wine and one of my favorites from a vintage that is not always easy to read. It delivers its message clearly with dark fruit, blue flower, grilled herb and sweet cedar, showing a sense of fullness and aromatic completeness that is not always present in this year. Soft and silky on the palate, the wine offers gentle, powdery tannins supported by good underlying structure, achieving balance without force. Sourced as a special selection from eight hectares of organically farmed vineyards with cool exposures, this bottling demonstrates how site and restraint can successfully interpret variety and vintage. Production is 19,800 bottles.
97+ points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jan 2026)
Pouring a bright red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is very youthful at this stage and improves dramatically with air, revealing crushed raspberries, preserved orange, floral perfume, and sweet Mediterranean herbs. The palate is medium-bodied and seamless, with refreshing acidity, salty earth, and pure fruit that carries through the long, focused finish. It’s going to need another year in bottle to come together fully, but it has terrific balance and purity and will be worth the wait. Drink 2027-2050.
97 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2026)
One of Montalcino’s most skilled winemakers, Lorenzo Magnelli relies equally on his intuition. In 2021, he removed a top layer of the cap to rebalance the skin-to-juice ratio for just the right amount of concentration. While not effusive, this slowly doles out ever-changing scents of violet, smoke, cola, alpine herbs, tobacco and chestnut – all very territorial. Radiantly lit from within, the relatively midweight palate highlights earth and umami nuances rather than fruit sweetness, and stony minerals lace dark currants. Beautifully sculpted tannins are tight-knit and finessed. Lingers subtly but surely with an intriguing amaro bitterness.
97 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Nov 2025)
The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens in the glass with a youthful blend of dried flowers, underbrush, crushed rocks and dried black cherries. It is surprisingly round and soothing to the senses, with waves of pure silk and red berry fruits elevated by a core of vibrant acidity. Minerality comes through in the finish, crunchy and long, as sweet tannins frame the experience remarkably well. This is a gorgeous interpretation of the vintage, yet patience is required.
95 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Nov 2025)
Dark yet supple, this red offers black cherry, blackberry, earth, leather, iron and wild rosemary flavors. Guided by vibrant acidity; with aeration, the tannins are well-integrated. Shows terrific harmony and a long aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2043. 1,750 cases made, 350 cases imported.
95 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Jun 2026)
Aromas of red cherries, stones and herbs like lavender. Medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit and firm, nervy tannins complemented by precise acidity. Lots of tension and definition. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
95 points, Jacobo García Andrade, James Suckling (Dec 2025)