What are the best Brunello vintages? and in which period can you optimally enjoy your fantastic Brunello? We are happy to help you with a comprehensive overview. The quality and drinking window vary per vintage, depending on the climatic conditions. Below is an overview of the vintages of Brunello di Montalcino from 2000, with ratings and drinking windows. The ratings regarding the quality of the vintages come from the Gambero Rosso.

2000

Rating : 3 stars - good, very good
Characteristics : Warm year, wines with ripe tannins and softer structure.
Best drinking window : 2010-2025

2001

Rating : 5 stars - excellent
Characteristics : Classic year, wines with structure, balance and great storage potential.
Best drinking window : 2013-2035

2002

Rating : 2 stars - moderate
Characteristics : Difficult year due to heavy rainfall, wines are lighter and less complex.
Best Drinking Window : 2008-2020

2003

Rating : 3 stars - good, very good
Characteristics : Very warm year, wines are full and ripe, but lack some acidity.
Best drinking window : 2012-2025

2004

Rating : 4 stars - Very good
Characteristics : Colder, regular growing conditions, wines with a good balance between acids and tannins.
Best drinking window : 2015-2038

2005

Rating : 3 stars - Good very good

Characteristics : Changeable weather led to wines with a softer structure, but still elegant.
Best drinking window : 2014-2030

2006

Rating : 4 stars - Very good
Characteristics : Warmer year, powerful, tannic wines with long aging potential.
Best drinking window : 2016-2040

2007

Rating : 4 stars - Very good
Characteristics : Warmer year, but the wines are more approachable with softer tannins than 2006.
Best drinking window : 2015-2035

2008

Rating : 3 stars - Good very good
Characteristics : Cooler year, wines with elegance and finesse, but slightly less powerful.
Best drinking window : 2016-2032

2009

Rating : 2 stars+ - Average/Good
Characteristics : Warm year, wines are fruitier, softer and more accessible.
Best drinking window : 2017-2030

2010

Rating : 5 stars - Excellent
Characteristics : Classic year, perfect maturing season, wines with depth, structure and great storage potential.
Best drinking window : 2020-2045

2011

Rating : 4 stars - Very good
Characteristics : Warm year, wines are slightly riper and fuller, but lack the elegance of 2010.
Best Drinking Window : 2018-2033

2012

Rating : 3 stars - Good to very good
Characteristics : Warm year, wines with concentrated fruit and good tannin structure.
Best Drinking Window : 2019-2035

2013

Rating : 5 stars - Excellent
Characteristics : Classic year, wines with freshness, elegance and a lot of depth.
Best drinking window : 2021-2040

2014

Rating : 2 stars - Average
Characteristics : Wet and difficult year, the wines are lighter and have a shorter ageing potential.
Best Drinking Window : 2018-2028

2015

Rating : 4 stars - Very Good
Characteristics : Warm year, but with enough precipitation to maintain freshness. Powerful and rich wines.
Best drinking window : 2023-2040

2016

Rating : 5 stars - Excellent
Characteristics : Ideal conditions, perfectly balanced wines with great ageing potential.
Best drinking window : 2025-2045

2017

Rating : 2 stars + - Good
Characteristics : Very warm year, resulting in fuller and riper wines, less elegant than 2016.
Best drinking window : 2023-2035

2018

Rating : 3 stars - Good to very good
Characteristics : Variable year, but talented winemakers produced balanced and elegant wines.
Best drinking window : 2024-2038

2019

Rating : 5 stars - Excellent
Characteristics : Classic year with balanced maturation conditions, wines with structure and depth.
Best drinking window : 2026-2045

2020

Rating : 5 stars vintage - very good
Characteristics : Warmer year, wines with ripe fruit and soft tannins. The wines will be ready to drink sooner.
Best drinking window : 2026-2040

The most beautiful Brunellos of course come from the 5 star harvest years such as 2001, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019. From experience we know that the wines from the 4 stars are also beautiful Brunellos. The harvest years 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2015 are also much sought after harvest years among Brunello di Montalcino lovers. With the 3 star harvest years 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012 and 2018, the Brunellos from the producers who make really beautiful Brunellos are also definitely recommended. In these harvest years, many Brunellos also received very good scores from wine journalists.

Our drinking advice to enjoy your Brunello optimally. Decant the wine, or even better open the bottle 4 to 8 hours in advance and pour a small amount of wine from the bottle. This gives the wine time to open up and give the beautiful aromas and flavors to the drinker. Drink the wine at a maximum of 18C, room temperature of 21C is really too warm. And a Brunello is a "food wine", eat a nice piece of meat, cold cuts, or spicy, hard cheeses with the wine.

Discover our Brunello's di Montalcino here .

Salute!