Casisano Brunello di Montalcino 2020

With ample intrigue, complexity, and a handful of glowing remarks from critics (including 94 points from Wine Enthusiast), this lively Brunello di Montalcino from a high-elevation site is truly tremendous, even at its original $70 price. For under $50, it’s a bonafide, bellisima bargain!

Founded in 1990 and perched on a terrace about 480 meters above sea level, Casisano sits on one of the higher sites in Montalcino, overlooking the storybook southeastern hills near Sant’Angelo in Colle and the iconic Abbey of Sant’Antimo. The estate covers 53 hectares, with 22 planted to vineyards grown on high-elevation, galestro-rich soils that foster magnificent wines replete with freshness and complexity. Today, under the Tommasi Family Estates project ownership, Casisano has grown to be one of Montalcino’s most prestigious properties that crafts unequivocally finessed, terroir-rich Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino wines.

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino lives up to every ounce of lofty expectation, emanating freshness and elegance from its very core. The 2020 vintage was marked by a warm, dry summer with well-timed rains that helped preserve acidity and balanced ripeness to yield wines with precise aromatics, refined tannins, and lively acidity. Many critics see the vintage as classic and graceful as a whole. In step with tradition, this bottling ferments on native yeasts with long skin contact before aging in large Slavonian oak casks for several years to extract powerful flavor and structure compounds, and highlight its grand terroir.

There’s a delightful interplay between delicate florals, rich earth qualities, and juicy red fruits, and although it is impeccably layered, it’s also fresh and light on its feet (as much as a 14% Tuscan red wine can be)! The 100% Sangiovese displays notes of fresh red cherries and raspberries, accentuated brilliantly with rose petals, blood orange, chewy fennel, a dusting of black pepper, and rich, foamy mocha. Soft, dusty tannins and a bright and savory finish linger long on the tongue and effortlessly beckon you back in for another sip. This is a classically wonderful and well-balanced Brunello that promises years of life in your cellar – if you can stand to wait! Under $55 on this level of craftsmanship and terroir calls for taking home at least a handful.

PAIRING IDEAS: This wickedly delicious seared ribeye with roasted piquillo peppers is one of my favorite things to make currently – and the sweet smokiness of the peppers, along with the rich, juicy beef, will be absolutely to-die-for with this Brunello.