Newsflash: Wine Spectator’s #1 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!

With some of the best examples from this vintage hitting the $700-1,000 range, we’re talking about severely UNDERVALUED proposition here. And we mean at the $75 release price, not our stupid good $45, which is GIFTING IT, basically.

Could this be the best-kept secret in Brunello? We sure think so, as it drinks way, WAY above its humble league, into that cultdom realm with the finesse of Biondi Santi or Poggio di Sotto coming to mind, and those have reached the near untouchable price points these days, while SanCarlo remains under the radar. That, we predict, will not last long, given the quality and the accolades going up, and up, and up…

Brought in by North Berkeley, named Importer of the Year by Wine & Spirits 4 years’ standing now. The most eloquent portrayal of this stunner in our glasses comes from them, “this is the true character of Montalcino, born from an honest family farm. Bold fruit, suave tannins, and as long as a Montalcino summer sunset. What a beautiful wine!” Cherries galore, red currants in there too, with raspberry leaf, chocolate-coated cranberries, and candied walnuts. Can’t think of a better Sangiovese for the Holidays.

Oh, and as Jeb says “they are one of the smallest producers in the region” so you know what that means… there’s precious little to be had.

Jump on this bandwagon with us, and claim your bottles, if not cases, fast and thank us later.

95+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“In 1965, Gemma Marcucci’s grandparents purchased land across the road from Soldera - Case Basse, and their first vintage of Brunello was released in 1974. Besides their 24 acres of forest and three acres of olive groves, they have eight acres (roughly three hectares) of vineyards in front of the winery that face southwest in an amphitheater and are surrounded by forest. Since the beginning, they have focused on the original property and have not expanded, but they have regularly made upgrades to the winery. With an average annual production of 10,000 bottles a year, they are one of the smallest producers in the region. While Gemma studied art history in college, her father retired from his job in banking in 2002 and kept the winery going, giving Gemma the space and time to learn in the winery and the vineyard. Two years later, she decided to become a farmer and dedicate herself to the land and the winery. These wines were tasted at this small family estate in January 2023. Taking on a more red-fruited profile, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino pours a ruby hue with a bit of garnet. Aromas of red cherry, wild herbs, orange peel, and pepper are followed by a medium-bodied red with an elegant concentration of raspberry, pressed roses, fine tannins, fresh acidity, stony earth, and clove. It has wonderful fresh energy, a beautiful mineral texture, and a long finish. Drink 2024-2036.”