Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2019 is a 750ml, 15% ABV Brunello crafted from 100% Sangiovese Grosso in Montalcino, Tuscany. This vintage earned 98 points from James Suckling and a perfect 100 from Luca Gardini at GardiniNotes, placing it among the most acclaimed expressions from one of the appellation's most selective estates.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  DOCG Brunello di Montalcino  |  Producer: Fuligni

Production & Heritage

Fuligni is one of Montalcino's most respected small-production estates, known for a rigorous quality threshold — in vintages that do not meet the family's standards, no Brunello is produced at all. The 2019 was aged for approximately 2.5 to 3 years in large traditional oak barrels (botti), followed by 18 months of bottle aging, adhering to and exceeding the DOCG's minimum requirements. Total production for this vintage was limited to roughly 33,000 bottles, reflecting the estate's low yields per hectare and careful vineyard selection.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried roses and lavender open the nose, followed by candied cherries, orange peel, and a thread of cedar. A secondary wave of anise and white pepper adds spice-driven complexity.

Taste: The entry is rich and concentrated, with dark cherry and plum meeting mid-palate notes of tobacco leaf, earth, and leather. A vein of mineral acidity runs through the core, keeping the wine refreshing despite its density. Licorice and tamarind emerge as the palate deepens toward the finish.

Finish: Firm, chewy tannins frame a long finish marked by lingering mineral, dried herbs, and a subtle sweetness reminiscent of ripe berry fruit. The structure suggests significant aging potential while remaining approachable now with proper decanting.

How to Drink Fuligni Brunello 2019

Serve at 62–65°F in a large-bowled glass, ideally after 45 to 60 minutes of decanting to allow the aromatics to fully develop. This is a wine built for the table. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle mirrors the wine's earthy intensity. Grilled bistecca alla fiorentina stands up to its tannic grip and dark fruit concentration. Aged Pecorino di Pienza draws out the wine's savory and mineral undercurrents.

Best For

• Cellaring for a special anniversary five to fifteen years out
• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector
• Anchoring a Brunello vertical tasting alongside other top 2019 producers
• Pairing with a formal Tuscan-inspired dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fuligni Brunello 2019 taste like? It leads with concentrated dark cherry and plum, layered with tobacco, earth, leather, and mineral notes, all framed by firm, chewy tannins and bright acidity that keeps the 15% ABV in balance.

How does Fuligni Brunello compare to Casanova di Neri Brunello? Both are top-tier Montalcino producers, but Fuligni's house style tends toward elegance and restraint with traditional large-oak aging, while Casanova di Neri often delivers a more modern, fruit-forward profile with occasional use of smaller barrels. The 2019 vintage earned both estates critical scores in the mid-to-high 90s.

Is Fuligni Brunello 2019 good for sipping on its own? Yes — after proper decanting, its complexity and layered aromatics reward attentive solo drinking, though its tannic structure and acidity make it equally compelling alongside food.

Where is Fuligni Brunello made? Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino is produced at the Fuligni estate in Montalcino, a hilltop town in southern Tuscany, Italy, within the strictly defined DOCG appellation for Brunello.

What foods pair well with Fuligni Brunello 2019? Braised short ribs complement the wine's dark fruit and earthy depth. Grilled lamb chops echo its herbal, savory notes. Wild mushroom risotto highlights the mineral and leather qualities. Aged hard cheeses like Pecorino Toscano match its tannic structure. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage pairs with the wine's licorice finish.

What sizes does Fuligni Brunello 2019 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle; larger formats may be available in limited quantities depending on the vintage.

Is Fuligni Brunello 2019 worth the price? Fuligni positions as a premium Brunello from a small-production estate with limited allocation — just 33,000 bottles. Scores of 96–100 points across six major critics, including a perfect score from GardiniNotes, place it at the top of its peer group and support its positioning relative to other high-end Montalcino bottlings.

Why Fuligni Brunello 2019?

The 2019 vintage represents one of the most critically lauded releases in Fuligni's history, collecting 98 points from James Suckling, 97 from Kerin O'Keefe, 96 from both Wine Advocate and Vinous, and a perfect 100 from Luca Gardini. With only 33,000 bottles produced, it is scarcer than many of its similarly scored peers in Montalcino. The estate's willingness to forgo production entirely in subpar vintages gives each release an implicit quality guarantee rare in the appellation. For the 2019, that discipline produced a Brunello of uncommon concentration and aromatic complexity that rewards both near-term drinking and long-term cellaring.