There's a really wide range of Brunellos out there for being from such a small wine region, but we're here to help you wade through them! La Torre's Brunello di Montalcino is a small-production gem at the best price we've seen, and their 2020 edition is already delicious and characterful without needing further aging (though it will evolve beautifully for those who like to wait longer). Wines from this highly drinkable vintage are almost gone, so we highly recommend getting the last of La Torre's enchanting 2020 Brunellos while they're here!
The tiny La Torre estate lies in the warmer south of Tuscany's Montalcino region, tucked in amongst the forested hills that are perched high above the summer heat of the Orcia Valley. Plenty of sunlight, cooler breezes and ideal soils lead to a Brunello that truly represents this historic place. While some wineries have gone for more fruit-forward or richly oaked styles, La Torre creates wines with depths of traditional charm. Aged in large oak vats for over three years, their classic Brunello's herbal-tinged, warmly toned fruit (dark cherry, blackberry) is infused with allspice and earthy forest floor accents. That long period hasn't over-polished or covered up the embracing layer of tannins, tangy-fruited finish, and underlying crunchy minerality...this is Brunello with old-school sensibilities, but with tons of appeal to today's wine drinker. Just give it an hour or so of breathing time in a decanter and partner with rich tomato sauces, braises, or thick-cut steaks!
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The organic La Torre 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of depth and dimension with plenty of red and purple berry fruits. La Torre makes Sangiovese that is aged for five years, as per the appellation guidelines, but it graciously does not have the heavy load of oak that you feel in many of its peers. The grapes ferment on the skins for up to 20 days, and the wine ages in traditional Slavonian casks. Fruit is selected from across a 4.9-hectare parcel at a cool 420 meters in elevation. A tiny 3% addition of 2021 fruit is allowed in the final blend. Production in 2020 is 15,000 bottles. I love the balance and freshness of this release. Luigi Antonio Ananìa only makes a Riserva in special years, and he might produce one in 2021."
ORGANICALLY FARMED
The tiny La Torre estate lies in the warmer south of Tuscany's Montalcino region, tucked in amongst the forested hills that are perched high above the summer heat of the Orcia Valley. Plenty of sunlight, cooler breezes and ideal soils lead to a Brunello that truly represents this historic place. While some wineries have gone for more fruit-forward or richly oaked styles, La Torre creates wines with depths of traditional charm. Aged in large oak vats for over three years, their classic Brunello's herbal-tinged, warmly toned fruit (dark cherry, blackberry) is infused with allspice and earthy forest floor accents. That long period hasn't over-polished or covered up the embracing layer of tannins, tangy-fruited finish, and underlying crunchy minerality...this is Brunello with old-school sensibilities, but with tons of appeal to today's wine drinker. Just give it an hour or so of breathing time in a decanter and partner with rich tomato sauces, braises, or thick-cut steaks!
WINE ADVOCATE 96 POINTS - "The organic La Torre 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of depth and dimension with plenty of red and purple berry fruits. La Torre makes Sangiovese that is aged for five years, as per the appellation guidelines, but it graciously does not have the heavy load of oak that you feel in many of its peers. The grapes ferment on the skins for up to 20 days, and the wine ages in traditional Slavonian casks. Fruit is selected from across a 4.9-hectare parcel at a cool 420 meters in elevation. A tiny 3% addition of 2021 fruit is allowed in the final blend. Production in 2020 is 15,000 bottles. I love the balance and freshness of this release. Luigi Antonio Ananìa only makes a Riserva in special years, and he might produce one in 2021."
ORGANICALLY FARMED
