Two of the most trusted and oldest estates in the Tuscan hill town of Montalcino are Caprili and Tornesi. Even better, both are brought to the US by North Carolina-based importer Mike Tiano of the Haw River Wine Man.
With Christmas just around the corner, I know you all are looking for grand wines for grand meals and gift-giving, and either of these wines below would fit the bill. Please don't ask me which wine I like better....I love them both!
Up first, let's talk about Caprili. Founded in 1965, it is one of the oldest estates in the DOCG. At the time, there were less than 20 wineries in the region. Today, there are 200! This traditional producer is located in the warmer, southwestern section of Montalcino and their wines represent the essence of Sangiovese and the essence of old-school Brunello.
1. 2018 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino
95 points Wine Enthusiast, 94 points Wine Advocate
ORDER NOW in our online store.
Caprili's 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine I will never get tired of. A masterful Sangiovese Grosso, it offers up soaring notes of mint-infused black cherry, dried raspberry, leather, spice box, and mineral. Soft and silky on the palate, it delivers satisfying, fine-grained flavors of wild berries, crushed stone, blood orange, and grilled herb.
The critics had great things to say too. Wine Enthusiast said it "features notes of cherry, blood orange, fennel and mint, with a burst of anise crackling in the background." Not to be outdone, the Wine Advocate said it "plays its best cards in terms of mouthfeel with long, polished tannins and seamless flavors of wild fruit, crushed stone, licorice and grilled herb." It will offer at least a decade of pleasurable drinking.
Another brilliant Brunello with a great story is Tornesi. Maurizio Tornesi has a magical touch with Sangiovese Grosso, the unique clone of Sangiovese that calls Montalcino home. With primely situated, steep, and well-exposed sites pretty much right next door to Biondi-Santi, the undisputed champion of classic and traditional Brunello di Montalcino, Tornesi's version is a model of purity, elegance, and balance.
2. 2018 Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino
95 points Yours Truly
ORDER NOW in our online store.
It doesn't hurt that Paolo Vagaggini heads up winemaking at this ancient property. Paolo is one of the top winemakers in Tuscany, and he is also the lead oenologist at Biondi-Santi, Fuligni, and Poggio Antico, three of the most acclaimed estates in Montalcino, in Tuscany, and in all of Italy. His talents combined with Maurizio's meticulous farming practices are on full display in this incredible Brunello value.
The 2018 Tornesi Brunello flows with righteous and radiant notes of ripe cherry-berry, mint and eucalyptus, cedar, violet, and leather. I adore the texture here, as it balances fine tannins with zesty acids, a hallmark trait of classic Brunello. Don't take that to mean this doesn't have serious cellar potential, like a decade or more, but it's immediately accessible.
I love both of these wines, I love the holiday wine season, and I love bringing you world-class wines at great prices. I know these aren't "Tuesday night wines," but world-class Brunello never is.
Cheers, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays. I hope you get your order in quick enough to snag some of these.
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville