What are the best Brunello vintages? And during 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 Brunello di Montalcino vintages from 2000 onwards, with ratings and drinking windows. The vintage quality ratings come from 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 aging 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-bodied 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 acidity and tannins.
Best drinking window: 2015-2038

2005

Rating: 3 stars - Good, very good

Characteristics: Variable 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+ - Moderate/Good
Characteristics: Warm year, wines are fruitier, softer, and more approachable.
Best drinking window: 2017-2030

2010

Rating: 5 stars - Excellent
Characteristics: Classic year, perfect ripening season, wines with depth, structure, and great aging 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 great depth.
Best drinking window: 2021-2040

2014

Rating: 2 stars - Moderate
Characteristics: Wet and difficult year, the wines are lighter and have shorter aging potential.
Best drinking window: 2018-2028

2015

Rating: 4 stars - Very Good
Characteristics: Warm year, but with sufficient rainfall 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 aging potential.
Best drinking window: 2025-2045

2017

Rating: 2 stars + - Good
Characteristics: Very warm year, which resulted 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 ripening conditions, wines with structure and depth.
Best drinking window: 2026-2045

2020

Rating: 5-star vintage - very good
Characteristics: Warmer year, wines with ripe fruit and soft tannins. This means the wines will be ready to drink earlier.
Best drinking window: 2026-2040

2021

Rating: 5-star vintage that can measure up to greats like 2016 and 2019.
Ideal drinking window: The wines will show their true potential from: 2028 to 2030.
Aging potential: This is an absolute aging year. The best Brunellos from 2021 can easily be stored until: 2045 or longer.

The most beautiful Brunellos, of course, come from the 5-star vintages such as 2001, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. From experience, we know that wines from the 4-star vintages are also splendid Brunellos. Vintages 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2015 are also much sought-after vintages by Brunello di Montalcino enthusiasts. For the 3-star vintages 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2012, and 2018, Brunellos from producers who truly make beautiful wines are also highly recommended. Even in these vintages, many Brunellos received very good scores from wine journalists.

Our drinking advice to optimally enjoy your Brunello. Decant the wine, or even better, open the bottle 4 to 8 hours in advance and pour out a small amount of wine. This gives the wine time to slowly open up and reveal its beautiful aromas and flavors to the drinker. Drink the wine at a maximum of 18°C; room temperature of 21°C is really too warm. And a Brunello is a "food wine," so pair it with a nice piece of meat, cured meats, or spicy, hard cheeses.

Salute!