2020 Brunello di Montalcino, Fornace, Le Ragnaie

This wine usually shows a more relaxed character compared to the other bottles in this series of single-vineyard wines from Le Ragnaie. The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Fornace draws its fruit from a vineyard located at 380 meters in elevation not too far from Mastrojanni. The site was once at the bottom of an ancient seabed, and there are round limestone rocks as a result. That theme of "roundness" is transferred to the palate, where the wine offers layers of plush and supple fruit. Like the others, it ages in large oak casks for 3.5 years and is bottled directly from the botte. Only 3,000 bottles were created. In a tasting of his cru wines, Riccardo Campinoti serves this wine last because it delivers a bigger sense of concentration and textural density (while remaining within the transparency of the house style). ~ (96) Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 11-21-2024

Crushed ashen stones, grilled herbs, underbrush and hints of smoke define the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Fornace. It's soft-textured and round, with more black fruits than red and a core of cool-toned acidity that maintains balance as blood orange and saline minerals saturate. The 2020 finishes with a minty freshness contrasting edgy tannins and a slight citrus tinge that adds lovely complexities. ~ (94) Eric Guido, Vinous 11-1-2024

The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino Fornace is a spectacular way to close out the wines of 2020 from Le Ragnaie. Aromatic of grenadine, sweet balsamic herbs, leather, and licorice candies, the palate really sets itself apart, with fine tannins, mouthwatering, salted, ripe orange citrus, iron-rich earth, and a clean, stony, driving finish. Persistent and long, it's going to need another couple of years in cellar. Drink 2027-2047. ~ (97) Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com 1-22-2025