Hot on the heels of our Anteprima Tasting, we’ve now put together our thoughts on this extraordinary vintage, which is mostly available to purchase now. These wines are simply glorious, arguably the best since 2016 and, alongside 2010, one of the true greats of the last 20 years.
This is a vintage that manages the rare feat of combining immediate charm with the balance to evolve gracefully over the next 15–20 years. Eric Guido at Vinous captures it perfectly: “There is something magical about the 2021 Brunellos.”
Growing Season
The year began with frost in early April, naturally reducing yields. A warm, dry summer followed, with just enough well-timed rain to keep the vines healthy, and September delivered cool nights and moderate days, perfect for retaining freshness and acidity.
Producers had unusual freedom to choose their harvest window, resulting in notable stylistic diversity. Early-picked wines are bright, juicy, and energetic, whilst later-picked examples show deeper concentration and structure.
Monica Larner at Wine Advocate notes poetically, “You can taste the wind in the wines,” something that’s immediately apparent at estates like Castello di Romitorio, perched high on the northern hills outside Montalcino, where freshness and lift are hallmarks.
The Brunello 2021s
The 2021s are elegant, precise, and classically Sangiovese. Aromas are bright and lifted, with red cherry, blood orange, and delicate florals, whilst the palate is packed full of fruit, lively acidity, and finely tuned tannins. These wines are approachable from the first pour, yet built to age.
Larner sums it up: “The result is a classically styled, cellar-worthy expression of Sangiovese, distinguished by freshness, structural clarity and elegance.” She adds, “The wines carry a similar clarifying force, marked by chiseled fruit, bright acidity and a sense of restraint. They are bracing, lucid and sharply defined.”
Across Montalcino, 2021 shows remarkable consistency. Guido notes, “The 2021 Brunellos are successful across the entire region,” confirming that this isn’t just a few standout parcels - it’s a vintage that truly represents Montalcino as a whole.
One of the most exciting features of 2021 is how drinkable it is straight away. James Suckling confesses, “It’s been a while since I drank bottles of young Brunello di Montalcino straight after a tasting and enjoyed them with dinner.” Estates like Patrizia Cencioni deliver wines with glorious perfume, beautifully cherry fruit, and a subtle savoury depth. Yet these wines are far from ephemeral, combining early appeal with the structure and harmony to develop over time.
From the northern slopes to the southern reaches of Montalcino, 2021 showcases striking terroir expression. Altitude, aspect, and soil differences are more noticeable than ever, giving collectors the chance to explore the region through the wines.
A Vintage to Buy
Suckling’s advice couldn’t be clearer: “I recommend buying this vintage.” The best wines show purity and vibrancy reminiscent of classic vintages like 1997, 2001, and 2004, whilst retaining a modern freshness.
Guido sums it up: “Stated simply, 2021 is a triumph for Montalcino.” And for Suckling, it’s a decisive choice: “In any case, this year I am buying Brunello 2021 – and very little else from Montalcino. It's exceptional.”
There really isn’t a better time to buy Brunello. Quality has improved across the board, differences in terroir are now striking, and this vintage combines vibrancy, structure, and elegance in a way few modern releases have achieved.
Best of all, the region’s mature release program, with wines arriving onto the market following five years aging in barrel and bottle, means that unlike Bordeaux you won’t be waiting for what feels like half a lifetime to taste them… and whilst you cellar the wines, the 2024 Rossos have more than enough character and drinking pleasure to tide you over.
There are many excellent choices to buy this year, and our top picks include: Patrizia Cenconi's gorgeous single vineyard Brunello 'Ofelio' (96 points, Kerin O'Keefe); the frankly unmissable Brunello 'Filo di Seta' from Castello di Romitorio, with Monica Larner's joint highest Wine Advocate score of 98 points; Mastrojanni's Brunello 'Vigna Loreto', another top performer in the Wine Advocate (97 points) and a personal pick; and lastly Giodo's flagship Brunello (out next week), sourced from the estate's best old vine parcels for the first time in 2021, dramatically reducing volume in return for quality, with 99 points from James Suckling.
