Description

The 2010 vinatge in Montalcino was one of the best in recent memory, fully deserving its 5 star rating from the local Conzorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, as well as the critical praise it has received.

But, as ever in Tuscany’s leading wine region, quality was far from uniform, not just because of the differences between sub-zones (less marked in 2010 than in more heterogeneous years like 2003, 2008, 2009 and 2013) but because of the human dimension.

As we turn our attention to the 2011s and 2010 Riservas, which will be release in January 2016, now is an opportune moment to publish my third annual classification of Montalcino’s best producers, loosely based on Bordeaux’s 1855 classifcation, as well as my star ratings for recent vintages.