The Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2021 by Fuligni is one of those wines where origin, tradition, and craftsmanship beautifully converge. For decades, Fuligni has been among the classic names of Montalcino, known for Brunello wines that prioritize balance, purity, and aristocratic elegance over exaggerated power.
This Brunello is made from 100% Sangiovese, often locally referred to as Brunello. The wine originates from Montalcino, in southern Tuscany, where Sangiovese can achieve its most complex expression on calcareous, stony, and clayey soils. Fuligni adheres to traditional practices, paying close attention to vineyard selection and a maturation process that imparts structure to the wine without overpowering the fruit.
Aroma
On the nose, the Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2021 opens with ripe red cherries, wild berries, rose petals, and violets. Beneath these, notes of blood orange, tobacco, Mediterranean herbs, cedarwood, a hint of leather, and a mineral undertone emerge. The aroma is intense yet not heavy: precisely this combination of power and refinement makes Fuligni so beloved by Brunello enthusiasts.
Taste
On the palate, this Brunello is energetic, juicy, and structured. The wine offers ripe red fruit, fine spice, fresh acidity, and tannins that are firmly present yet feel beautifully polished. The finish is long, pure, and slightly mineral, with notes of cherry, rose, herbs, and a subtle earthy touch returning.
The 2021 is already enticing, especially after decanting, but possesses enough depth and structure to develop further in the coming years. Those with patience will be rewarded with more tertiary aromas such as leather, truffle, tobacco, dried flowers, and forest floor.
Vineyards and Terroir
Fuligni's vineyards are mainly located on the northeastern side of Montalcino, a classic zone for elegant and refined Brunello. Additionally, the estate also owns plots with southeastern exposure. The soils consist of a mix of tuff, clay, marly, and stony elements, contributing to the wine's tension, minerality, and fine structure.
Fuligni works with multiple plots, including S. Giovanni, Il Piano, Il Ginestreto, La Bandita, S. Luigi, Matilde, Margherita, and Poggi I, II and III. These plots are vinified separately, allowing each terroir to retain its unique character before the final blend for the Brunello is composed.
According to Fuligni, the planting density ranges between 3,333 and 5,600 vines per hectare. The vines are on average mature, with older mother vines over 40 years old. This combination of mature vines, low yields, and strict selection ensures concentration without the wine becoming heavy.
The 2021 Vintage in Montalcino
2021 is considered a very strong vintage for Brunello in Montalcino. The year presented challenges, including spring frost and drought, but also favorable conditions in the decisive phase leading up to the harvest. The summer was warm and dry, but not excessively hot, and cool nights helped preserve freshness and aromatic precision in the grapes.
This is important for Sangiovese: the grape needs sun to ripen fully, but also freshness to remain elegant. In 2021, this resulted in Brunellos with ripe fruit, good concentration, vibrant acidity, and tannins that provide power without making the wine harsh.
Harvest Time
The grapes for Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2021 were harvested manually from late September to early October, with strict selection in the vineyard.
Winemaking Process
After manual harvesting, the grapes are carefully selected. Fuligni vinifies the different vineyards separately, to preserve the characteristics of soil, exposure, and ripeness as precisely as possible.
Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation lasted approximately 18 days, using indigenous yeasts. Maceration on the skins also lasted about 18 days. This is followed by malolactic fermentation, which makes the wine rounder and more harmonious.
Aging
The aging is classic and restrained. Approximately a quarter of the wine matures in Allier tonneaux, while the majority is aged in traditional large Slavonian oak barrels. This approach provides structure and refinement but prevents the wine from acquiring too much oak flavor.
Fuligni's regular Brunello is refined for a total of four years before it is released to the market. Oak aging typically lasts several years, followed by further resting in steel and bottle. The result is a Brunello with depth, balance, and aging potential, but also with enough elegance to be enjoyable relatively young.
Wine-Food Pairings
This Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2021 calls for dishes with depth. Think of bistecca alla Fiorentina, sirloin steak, rack of lamb with rosemary, game, ossobuco, pappardelle with ragù, mushroom risotto, or truffle dishes. The wine also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, such as Pecorino Stagionato or aged Parmesan.
Serve this Brunello preferably around 18 °C. If opening young, feel free to decant it for one to two hours, so that the fruit, spices, and floral notes can fully unfold.
Brief Summary Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 2021
The Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2021 is a stylish, top-tier Brunello for lovers of elegant, classic Sangiovese. Red fruit, roses, spices, fine tannins, and a long finish make this a wine to drink now with a beautiful dish or to age for many years. A superb choice for those seeking Brunello with class, tension, and authentic Montalcino character.
About Fuligni:
Fuligni is a historic winery in Montalcino, founded in 1923 and managed by Maria Flora Fuligni and her nephew Roberto Guerrini Fuligni. With 14 hectares of vineyards on the eastern slopes of Montalcino, Fuligni produces elegant and long-lasting wines, including the acclaimed Brunello di Montalcino and Riserva. The winery is known for its strict quality standards and traditional winemaking techniques.
