JAMES SUCKLING 98 POINTS - "Perfumed with sweet berry, fresh flower and cedar aromas that follow through to a medium-bodied palate with firm and chewy tannins and a fresh finish. Very classy and structured. Extremely long. Give it time to open."
KERIN O'KEEFE 97 POINTS - "Showing the intensity and concentration of the vintage but also the finesse that’s the hallmark of this storied estate, the 2019 Fuligni is a stunner. It opens with aromas of camphor, violet, dog rose and spice while the full-bodied, enveloping palate delivers succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, dried mint and licorice alongside velvety tannins. Boasting a weightless elegance, it closes on a note of almond liqueur. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe October 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com"
VINOUS 96 POINTS - Dusty and floral, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a perfumed blend of dried roses, cherries, mint and lavender candies. It’s elegant and seamlessly silky on the palate, enveloping the senses with ripe red berry fruits contrasted by a bitter clove tinge. A core of brisk acidity maintains a lovely balance as a web of fine tannins saturates the palate, and a pleasantly chewy sensation remains. The 2019 is classic to the core." - Eric Guido
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "The ruby/garnet 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino has a very appealing nose with notes of candied cherries, orange peel, anise, white pepper, and dried roses. Savory and snappy, this medium-bodied Brunello is not lacking for structure and has wonderful energy propelling the wine forward on the palate, angular ripe tannins, and a surge of mineral lift. It’s a gorgeous, classic Brunello that should have plenty of longevity."
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "With dark fruit balanced out by savory notes of tobacco leaf or cigar ash, the Fuligni 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is rich and beautifully concentrated. In little time, the bouquet reveals a floral interlude with dried rose petal and a tropical note of hibiscus. This wine shows a lot of angles, all very pleasant, that work together. The tannins are dusty and finely textured with a hint of powdery cocoa to close. Production is 33,000 bottles."
Fuligni was founded in 1923, and is today run by Maria Flora Fuligni, who comes from a noble Venetian family (the wine labels carry the symbol of the lion of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice) that relocated to Montalcino long ago. You might consider their Brunello to stylistically straddle the traditional and modern sides, including the use of some French Allier oak (albeit large barrels) along with their traditional Slavonian oak vats. They are beautifully polished, while maintaining enough freshness and aromatic qualities to still say there is finesse amongst their power.
KERIN O'KEEFE 97 POINTS - "Showing the intensity and concentration of the vintage but also the finesse that’s the hallmark of this storied estate, the 2019 Fuligni is a stunner. It opens with aromas of camphor, violet, dog rose and spice while the full-bodied, enveloping palate delivers succulent black cherry, crushed raspberry, dried mint and licorice alongside velvety tannins. Boasting a weightless elegance, it closes on a note of almond liqueur. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 15% Kerin O’Keefe October 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com"
VINOUS 96 POINTS - Dusty and floral, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a perfumed blend of dried roses, cherries, mint and lavender candies. It’s elegant and seamlessly silky on the palate, enveloping the senses with ripe red berry fruits contrasted by a bitter clove tinge. A core of brisk acidity maintains a lovely balance as a web of fine tannins saturates the palate, and a pleasantly chewy sensation remains. The 2019 is classic to the core." - Eric Guido
JEB DUNNUCK 96 POINTS - "The ruby/garnet 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino has a very appealing nose with notes of candied cherries, orange peel, anise, white pepper, and dried roses. Savory and snappy, this medium-bodied Brunello is not lacking for structure and has wonderful energy propelling the wine forward on the palate, angular ripe tannins, and a surge of mineral lift. It’s a gorgeous, classic Brunello that should have plenty of longevity."
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "With dark fruit balanced out by savory notes of tobacco leaf or cigar ash, the Fuligni 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is rich and beautifully concentrated. In little time, the bouquet reveals a floral interlude with dried rose petal and a tropical note of hibiscus. This wine shows a lot of angles, all very pleasant, that work together. The tannins are dusty and finely textured with a hint of powdery cocoa to close. Production is 33,000 bottles."
Fuligni was founded in 1923, and is today run by Maria Flora Fuligni, who comes from a noble Venetian family (the wine labels carry the symbol of the lion of St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice) that relocated to Montalcino long ago. You might consider their Brunello to stylistically straddle the traditional and modern sides, including the use of some French Allier oak (albeit large barrels) along with their traditional Slavonian oak vats. They are beautifully polished, while maintaining enough freshness and aromatic qualities to still say there is finesse amongst their power.
