Italy makes a wide range of unique wines, but Brunellos from Tuscany's Montalcino continue to shine as one of the world's greats. Well-structured, and deftly combining richness with vibrancy, they are quintessential wines for hearty meals and good company. One of the important estates behind Brunello's modern-day popularity continues to fly under the radar despite making outstanding wines for the money: Talenti. Italian wine critic and author, Kerin O'Keefe, gave glowing reviews to the 2019 releases, and we couldn't agree more!
Pierluigi Talenti founded his own estate near the town of Sant'Angelo in Colle in the 1950s, but he quickly became an influential leader in the modernization of Brunello while also leading the winemaking at the famous Il Poggione winery down the hill. Today his grandson continues the tradition at the family estate, making wines that are clean, expressive and delicious at an early stage.
The hills of Sant'Angelo in Colle make for Brunellos that are known for their powerful, rich style, but the wonderful 2019 growing season allowed Talenti make wines with a deliciously mouthwatering freshness at their core: juicy blue fruits and entrancing floral notes join classic Brunello notes of fragrant balsam and earthy licorice. Their savory, tangy accents and "chewy" coating of fine-grained tannins make these Brunellos perfect for roasts, braises and tomato-rich ragús. As is typical for big Italian reds, you'll get more by letting them open up in a decanter for an hour or two. Salute!
This special vineyard is one of Pierluigi's originals: higher up in the hills and surrounded by forest, it makes for more intensely aromatic and finessed style of powerful Brunello. Because of the natural richness here, Talenti ages this one all in smaller French oak barrels to help tame it. This layers in extra cinnamon, nutmeg, woodsy balsam and licorice root spice notes, which the wine easily absorbs. It's a tour de force!
KERIN O'KEEFE 98 POINTS - "From a single vineyard situated 410m above sea level, Talenti’s 2019 Brunello Piero is a stunner, starting with its heady aromas of dog rose, iris, camphor, new leather and spiced blueberry. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse, the palate is polished and enveloping, delivering plum cake, ripe raspberry, cinnamon and minty notes alongside velvety tannins. While it’s already delicious, it will continue to evolve and offer years of immense pleasure. What a fabulous wine. Drink 2027–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com"
VINOUS 96 POINTS - "The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Piero is impossible to ignore, slowly blossoming with an enticing blend of spice-dusted blackberries, violet pastille and orange zest. This impresses further with its vividly ripe wild berry fruits and juicy acidity. Tactile mineral tones add contrast, and rosy inner florals form toward the close. The 2019 lingers impossibly long, taking on a spicy edge, as the palate is left reverberating with zesty tension, even as fine-grained tannins grip the senses. The Piero is already showing such flamboyancy and balance. It will be a thrilling Brunello to follow over the next two decades." - Eric Guido
Pierluigi Talenti founded his own estate near the town of Sant'Angelo in Colle in the 1950s, but he quickly became an influential leader in the modernization of Brunello while also leading the winemaking at the famous Il Poggione winery down the hill. Today his grandson continues the tradition at the family estate, making wines that are clean, expressive and delicious at an early stage.
The hills of Sant'Angelo in Colle make for Brunellos that are known for their powerful, rich style, but the wonderful 2019 growing season allowed Talenti make wines with a deliciously mouthwatering freshness at their core: juicy blue fruits and entrancing floral notes join classic Brunello notes of fragrant balsam and earthy licorice. Their savory, tangy accents and "chewy" coating of fine-grained tannins make these Brunellos perfect for roasts, braises and tomato-rich ragús. As is typical for big Italian reds, you'll get more by letting them open up in a decanter for an hour or two. Salute!
This special vineyard is one of Pierluigi's originals: higher up in the hills and surrounded by forest, it makes for more intensely aromatic and finessed style of powerful Brunello. Because of the natural richness here, Talenti ages this one all in smaller French oak barrels to help tame it. This layers in extra cinnamon, nutmeg, woodsy balsam and licorice root spice notes, which the wine easily absorbs. It's a tour de force!
KERIN O'KEEFE 98 POINTS - "From a single vineyard situated 410m above sea level, Talenti’s 2019 Brunello Piero is a stunner, starting with its heady aromas of dog rose, iris, camphor, new leather and spiced blueberry. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse, the palate is polished and enveloping, delivering plum cake, ripe raspberry, cinnamon and minty notes alongside velvety tannins. While it’s already delicious, it will continue to evolve and offer years of immense pleasure. What a fabulous wine. Drink 2027–2039. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe November 2023 ©kerinokeefe.com"
VINOUS 96 POINTS - "The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Piero is impossible to ignore, slowly blossoming with an enticing blend of spice-dusted blackberries, violet pastille and orange zest. This impresses further with its vividly ripe wild berry fruits and juicy acidity. Tactile mineral tones add contrast, and rosy inner florals form toward the close. The 2019 lingers impossibly long, taking on a spicy edge, as the palate is left reverberating with zesty tension, even as fine-grained tannins grip the senses. The Piero is already showing such flamboyancy and balance. It will be a thrilling Brunello to follow over the next two decades." - Eric Guido
