Fuligni Brunello Riserva 2019
Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019: elegant northeastern Montalcino Sangiovese from a century-old family estate.
A Brunello Riserva you won’t forget in a hurry. The Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019 sits at the very top of its vintage. Over a hundred years of family tradition since Giovanni Maria Fuligni arrived in Montalcino; today led by Maria Flora.
The vineyard
Northeastern Montalcino, a corner that typically runs cooler than the south-west side. Late September harvest for optimal phenolic ripeness. The exposure gives Sangiovese room to keep elegance instead of falling into heaviness, typical of the Fuligni style.
Vinification
Strict selection on the sorting belt. Fermentation in stainless steel under tight temperature control. Maceration limited to 15-20 days with regular pumping over; a deliberate choice to balance extraction and finesse. Long élevage following DOCG Riserva requirements (minimum 5 years, of which 2 in wood, 6 months in bottle); Fuligni goes beyond.
Tasting notes
Luminous ruby with notable clarity. Complex bouquet: floral up front, then bergamot, wild thyme and licorice. Not one-dimensional; each swirl reveals another layer.
On the palate silky tannins of exceptional finesse. Red and black fruit perfectly balanced, herbal underlay, long finish with persistent mineral tension. Drinkable now but evolves through to well past 2030.
The cellars
The estate has two historic cellars: a 17th-century one once home to Medicean Grand Dukes, and renovated 16th-century convent cellars. Not a deciding factor in the wine, but an illustration of the continuity in which this bottle sits.
Verdict
One of the most complete Brunello Riservas of the 2019 vintage. For drinkers wanting Sangiovese at the highest level, finesse over extraction, a direct recommendation. Cellar potential: 15-20 years.
Sources
- Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino: consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it
More on Wine Review
Perlato del Bosco Vermentino 2025 review: herbs, not sea
Tua Rita's Vermentino costs €18.95 and promises a saline coastal edge. I found sage, rosemary and basil instead. What it delivers, and what it doesn't.
Read on →
White port on ice: putting Kopke On Ice to the test
Kopke says On Ice was built more concentrated so melting ice won't water it down. Nobody checked. Two glasses, three cubes, ten minutes on the clock.
Read on →
Tua Rita wines: a €19 vermentino and a €51 Lodano
Tua Rita is Rita Tua, back to front. I tasted the estate's Vermentino and its Lodano Rosso side by side. Which to buy, and for which evening.
Read on →