Without exaggeration, the back-to-back vintages of 2015 and 2016 in Montalcino have led to an abundance of sensational Brunellos that are not to be missed. The San Filippo estate made some particularly powerful wines in 2015 and 2016, as full-bodied and full-textured as Brunellos come, and the latest releases have just arrived! Broadly speaking, the 2015 growing season was perfect for immediate, opulent, and rounded wines; 2016's season allowed for more structured, streamlined, and aromatically complex expressions.
Founded back in 1972 just east of the town itself, San Filippo was among the early estates in the association of Brunello producers that helped shape the modern wine region. However, the estate's current renown is due to the efforts of Roberto Gianelli, who knew very little about winemaking when he purchased it in 2003. Thanks to the help of well-seasoned winemaker friends, he made the small estate the powerhouse it is today.
While their 'classic' Brunello comes from a collection of vineyards, allowing for a balanced wine each year, they are most famous for their Le Lucere vineyard, which yields "grand cru" Brunellos made only in very good years. In fact, the previous vintage of their Le Lucere Brunello made the #3 spot in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2020!
Check out the newest releases below. If you want to enjoy them soon, just give them a couple hours in the decanter and have a great, hearty meal to pair them with!
The reserve wine is made from select parts of the Le Lucere vineyard, and is a bigger wine both in concentration and structure, especially in the generous 2015 vintage. Aged for 34 months in a mix of large oak barrels and small French barriques.
JAMES SUCKLING 99 POINTS - "The opulence and decadence [are] really something here with dried fruit, figs, meat and black truffles on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied, layered and creamy with intense, round tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes...already a joy to taste."
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS - "Floral, black cherry, black currant, spice, earth and mineral flavors abound in this appealing red. Smooth and lively, offers excellent balance and a lingering aftertaste, with a complex finish that is resonant and promising. Best from 2024 through 2047. From Italy. —B.S."
Founded back in 1972 just east of the town itself, San Filippo was among the early estates in the association of Brunello producers that helped shape the modern wine region. However, the estate's current renown is due to the efforts of Roberto Gianelli, who knew very little about winemaking when he purchased it in 2003. Thanks to the help of well-seasoned winemaker friends, he made the small estate the powerhouse it is today.
While their 'classic' Brunello comes from a collection of vineyards, allowing for a balanced wine each year, they are most famous for their Le Lucere vineyard, which yields "grand cru" Brunellos made only in very good years. In fact, the previous vintage of their Le Lucere Brunello made the #3 spot in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2020!
Check out the newest releases below. If you want to enjoy them soon, just give them a couple hours in the decanter and have a great, hearty meal to pair them with!
The reserve wine is made from select parts of the Le Lucere vineyard, and is a bigger wine both in concentration and structure, especially in the generous 2015 vintage. Aged for 34 months in a mix of large oak barrels and small French barriques.
JAMES SUCKLING 99 POINTS - "The opulence and decadence [are] really something here with dried fruit, figs, meat and black truffles on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied, layered and creamy with intense, round tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes...already a joy to taste."
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS - "Floral, black cherry, black currant, spice, earth and mineral flavors abound in this appealing red. Smooth and lively, offers excellent balance and a lingering aftertaste, with a complex finish that is resonant and promising. Best from 2024 through 2047. From Italy. —B.S."