Our Favorite 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Bottles

The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino vintage has critics reaching for superlatives—and for good reason. Kerin O'Keefe claims she's "never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage," while producers compare it to the legendary years of 1988 and 1990. This wasn't a vintage that required heroic winemaking; rather, it was a season where warm temperatures arrived without extremes, rainfall came at optimal intervals, and cool nights preserved the aromatic intensity that makes 2019 so special. At SipNYC, we've curated four expressions that showcase why this vintage deserves the hype: Altesino's classic northern blend that recalls the great 1990s, Le Ragnaie's high-altitude organic expression with almost Pinot Noir-like purity, Casanova di Neri's critically acclaimed White Label that winemaker Giacomo Neri called "magical," and Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona's single-vineyard Pianrosso from their UNESCO World Heritage site. Each bottle tells a distinct terroir story, yet all share the signature balance, brightness, and approachability that define this extraordinary vintage. Best of all? They're all under $100—making 2019 Brunello not just legendary, but accessible.