Newsflash: Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year - just announced - is another 2018 Brunello!

They say, “The move to a traditional style infuses the Brunellos with greater purity and energy. Combined with the elegant 2018 vintage’s character, the classic Brunello features rose, strawberry, and cherry aromas and flavors, along with wild herb, mineral, and cut hay accents matched to a racy profile.” As if they mean today’s feature!

Year in, year out, Pertimali takes its place amongst the most traditional and magically hypnotizing reds of this heralded appellation, often considered a peer of legends such as Soldera or Biondi-Santi high on our shortlist of the very best of Brunello.

A spotlight by Vinous points out that “For over a century, the Sassetti family has produced one of the region’s most traditional wines in the Northeast of Montalcino. It’s on the Montosoli hill that they tend their Sangiovese vines, employing both organic and biodynamic practices to assure that each harvest captures the signature of the vineyard and the vintage. This passion-driven approach continues in the winery, where respect for tradition is coupled with a hands-off mentality. The grapes are allowed to ferment spontaneously before being moved by gravity, during specific phases of the moon, into large oak botti for a long slumber. What emerges from this cellar is a traditionally styled Brunello with an attractive rustic edginess, which speaks of the vintage first, and then the unique galestro soils and hillside exposures of Montosoli.”

Unbiased, and undazzled by the glorious 95+ scores we dive deep into the glass…

Ripe cherry, strawberry, and currant flavors meld into tobacco, spice, woodsy, and mineral elements too. Light on its feet and supple, ending with hints of orange peel and rose hip tea. Harmonious and elegant, while rich and opulent, with generous raspberry and anise on the long and complex finish, speckled over dark chocolate, coffee, and exotic spices like nutmeg. Telltale tannins are there but they are fine and not domineering, making for a seductive wine that’s cellar-ready for the long haul, or primed for pairing with Bistecca alla Fiorentina following a good decant.

Oh, did we say we got this icon under $50? The absolute price not just in the US, but the entire world?!

Not much else left to say except it definitely won’t last long.

96 Points – James Suckling

“Intense aromas of black cherries, lavender and spice, such as nutmeg. Some sandalwood and bark, too. Full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins for the vintage. Rather chewy, suggesting that additional bottle age is needed. Try after 2026.”

95 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Pertimali was blessed with two weeks of perfect weather at the end of the season, starting harvest the first week of October. Production was down by 20% due to the spring frost, and the decision was made to place all of the juice usually intended for the Riserva into the straight Brunello, the result being one of the top wines of the vintage. Depths of dark, balsamic-tinged black cherry, plum sauce and autumnal spice make the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impossible to ignore. This is velvety to the core, nearly opulent in feel, with a dense wave of ripe red fruits complemented by nuances of sweet lavender and tobacco. It leaves the palate clenched with fine tannins and primary concentration, creating a classic sensation that transcends the vintage. Nearly a minute goes by, and hints of cocoa and sweet herbs continue to resonate. Wow! Drink 2025-2033.”

95 Points – Wine Enthusiast

“The nose is fruity and fizzy, like cherry cola, with roots and mixed herbs bringing a welcome savory element. The palate is sweet and juicy with cherries, but balance comes from an undertone of dark chocolate, before the nose’s lightly medicinal quality emerges again. Acidity positively fizzes around powerful tannins.”