Youthfully coiled, the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino requires coaxing to unlock its youthful state, as swirling unleashes nuances of dried roses, black cherries, cedar dust and sage. This is pure seduction on the palate, deeply sensual with dense waves of ripe red berry fruits and a nearly creamy feel, all balanced by vibrant acidity. It leaves the senses stained in primary concentration as an array of sweet tannins frames a slight balsamic tinge that adds a lovely punctuation to the experience. The 2021 is flat-out stunning and geared up for a long evolution. Le Potazzine has secured itself as one of the top Brunello producers vintage after vintage.
98 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Nov 2025)
The Le Potazzine 2021 Brunello di Montalcino reflects the estate’s loyal following, built on a signature style of freshness and bright, expressive aromatics. This vintage leans toward the more concentrated end of the spectrum, offering blackcurrant and wild plum while maintaining clarity and lift. The tannins are still tight at this youthful stage, though the mouthfeel is already moving toward silkiness and should fully arrive with a bit more time in bottle. This is a hallmark of the cooler, higher-elevation vineyards farmed by Gigliola Giannetti and her daughters. Aged for 40 months in traditional Slavonian oak casks, this wine is released in a production of 16,000 bottles.
96 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Jan 2026)
Pouring a jeweled ruby red hue, the 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino is pure and resonant on the nose, with notes of raspberry liqueur, lavender, forest earth, and licorice. The palate leans full-bodied without weight, filling the mouth with ripe, muscular tannins, refreshing acidity, and a long finish that carries noble structure and a gravelly richness of texture. It’s a fabulous Brunello from the 2021 vintage that should have no problem aging 15-20 years. Drink 2026-2046.
96 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2026)
On the nose this wine shows licorice, charcoal, wild strawberries, black cherries, smoke and subtle citrus notes. Full-bodied, velvety and lush on the palate, with elegant tannins, chewy acidity and a tight, extracted yet polished savory finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.
96 points, Aldo Fiordelli, James Suckling (Dec 2025)
In charge of winemaking since 2017, Viola Gorelli recently received her second degree – this one in oenology. She describes 2021 as special enough to produce the estate’s rare Riserva, although we’ll have to wait another year for its release. In the meantime, this annata bottling is gorgeous and cellarworthy in its own right. Still youthfully brooding, it conveys dried violet, grenadine and blackcurrants along with an earthy truffle nuance. Very sophisticated in construction with a pristine fruit quality and a scintillating mineral twist, the rich tannins build in volume, but the whole remains wonderfully balanced in its dimensions.
96 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Nov 2025)