Fanti Vallocchio Brunello di Montalcino 2019 / 2020

The wine displays an intense ruby red color with a nose of dark red fruits, including small black plums, black cherries under spirit, and mulberry, layered with complex notes of spices—highlighting delicate white pepper—and extra dark chocolate. On the palate, it is rich, full-bodied, and very persistent, revealing immediate complexity and structure as the spicy notes give way to the red fruit character from the nose, while a present but balanced tannic texture supports the wine and maintains its vivacity.

2019 Vintage

95 Points - Wine Advocate

The Fanti 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vallocchio reveals a pronounced savory side with tobacco leaf, roasted chestnut husk, dark plum, honeycomb or honey-roasted almond. The tannins are resolved, almost silky at this point, and there is plenty of concentrated fruit to build up the rich textural impact. The alcohol content clocks in at 15%, but it is nicely folded into the wine's dark fruity fiber. This is a 9,500-bottle release.

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast

The nose is a decadent blend of vanilla bean, cinnamon, cherry syrup and malted chocolate, with wild mint and eucalyptus popping through. Cherries and more chocolate swirl on the palate, with more fresh cool mint and a pinch of salt on the finish.

94 Points - James Suckling

Aromas of crushed berries and flowers with some bark and mushroom. It’s medium to full body with medium, round tannins and fresh acidity. Lovely balance and finesse. Drinkable now, but better in two to four years.

92 Points - Wine Spectator

Well-marked by new oak, this version adds a note of vanilla and a layer of tannins to its cherry, floral and iron flavors, all backed by a solid structure. Finds nice equilibrium and a sense of elegance in the end, but a little less oak would help its cause. Best from 2026 through 2038. 790 cases made.

2020 Vintage

94 Points - Wine Spectator

Complex and intense, featuring raspberry, cherry, white pepper, mineral and oak spice aromas and flavors. This racy red is married to a firm yet refined tannic structure, and the finish is driven by vivid acidity. Shows excellent verve and harmony. Best from 2027 through 2045. 500 cases made, 100 cases imported.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

From a special vineyard site on cooling schistic galestro clay soils, the Fanti 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vallocchio offers a full-bodied and robust interpretation of Sangiovese. The wine opens to a dark color and savory aromas of potting soil, blackened herb and dried fig. These two Fanti releases from 2020 definitely wear the signatures of a hot vintage, with a powerful 15.5% alcohol content in the case of this wine. Vallocchio (aged in botte and tonneaux for 30 months) closes with rich intensity and chalky Sangiovese tannins.