In early May, I had the pleasure of spending a week in the heart of Tuscany, nestled among the rolling hills of Montalcino. Known globally as the home of Brunello di Montalcino, this small medieval town is a must-visit for lovers of Italian wine, particularly those with an affection for the Sangiovese grape.

One of the unexpected highlights of the trip was the chance to sample some of the first releases of the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino vintage, which officially began rolling out in late January 2025. Throughout the week, I visited several wineries and local enotecas (wine tasting rooms), where I spoke with winemakers, sommeliers, and locals deeply rooted in the region’s winemaking tradition.

There was a clear consensus among them: 2020 was a very good year for Brunello. The growing season brought spring rains, a hot, dry summer, and a timely late-August rainfall that helped rehydrate the vines. September delivered ideal ripening conditions, resulting in healthy, flavorful fruit at harvest.

Tasting through the 2020s was both exciting and enlightening. Most of the wines showed fruit-forward profiles, paired with balanced acidity and a sense of freshness that bodes well for their development. Some wines were still showing firm tannins—even a touch astringent—but these “big, chewy” structures are typical of young Brunello’s and should soften beautifully with time in the bottle.

Several wines made a strong impression on me during my tastings. A few highlights include:

• Campogiovanni Brunello – A classic expression with depth and elegance

• Fornacella – Bold and structured, with a long finish

• Talenti – Exceptionally balanced with bright red fruit and spice

• Fattoi – Earthy and traditional, with great aging potential

• Camigliano – Approachable yet complex, a great value

• Máté – A small producer making powerful, artisanal Brunello

Each of these brought something unique to the table, and I’ll be curious to follow their evolution over the next few years.

It’s hard not to compare the 2020s to the exceptional 2019 vintage, which is already being hailed as one of the best in recent memory. While the 2020s show great promise, it’s too early to say whether they’ll reach the same heights. As always with Brunello, patience is key, and time will tell how these wines ultimately mature.