We are truly proud to share with you the latest reviews published by Vinous, one of the world’s most respected wine publications. Eric Guido has tasted a wide vertical of SanLorenzo Brunello and Brunello Riserva Bramante, awarding our wines some of the highest scores in our history.
For a small family winery like ours, rooted in the north-west side of Montalcino, these recognitions mean more than numbers. They speak about commitment, patience, respect for the vineyard and the long journey of Sangiovese. Knowing that this work is appreciated at an international level is incredibly rewarding.
FULL REVIEW TEXTS FROM VINOUS (Eric Guido – Nov 2025)
2021 Brunello di Montalcino – 94+
“The expressive 2021 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass with dusty black cherry, strawberry, citrus zest, roses and allspice. It is beautifully balanced, featuring bright wild berry fruits and crisp minerality propelled by vibrant acidity, coming across as silken yet full of energy. The finish is incredibly long, staining and intense, with fine-grained tannins and rosy inner florals that resonate. The future here is very bright.”
2016 Brunello di Montalcino Bramante Riserva – 95+
“The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Bramante Riserva is wrapped up tight in its youthful state, slowly evolving with nuances of crushed stone, ash and grilled herbs before giving way to violets and black cherries. It displays perfect form, cool-toned with a stern mineral core and tart wild berry fruits elevated by a core of brisk acidity. There’s a harmony for the ages here as sweet tannins frame dark depths of cocoa and blackberry through the incredibly long and staining finale. Is this another 2006 in the making? It may be even better with maturity.”
2016 Brunello di Montalcino – 94
“Crushed ashen stones mix with dried herbs, cedar dust and balsamic-laced black cherries as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up from the glass. It is sleek and silky smooth, with radiant red fruits and notes of plum contrasted by sour citrus and a pleasantly bitter tinge of clove. Heroic tannins descend upon the palate as the cheeks pucker and nuances of black licorice and currant linger. There is a lot going on here today, but patience is still necessary. Bury this in the cellar.”
2015 Brunello di Montalcino Bramante Riserva – 95
“The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Bramante Riserva is backward in the glass, showing only nuances of cedary spice, fresh mint, rosemary and dried strawberries. It is deeply textural, silken and serene with masses of ripe red and black fruits that slowly saturate, offset by crisp mineral tones and citrus-infused acidity. Hints of graphite mingle with edgy tannins, yet the 2015 maintains freshness, tapering off with a sour cherry twang.”
2015 Brunello di Montalcino – 94
“The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino displays dark depths of cherry sauce mixed with cloves, cinnamon sticks and a lifting whiff of mint as it blossoms in the glass. It is fleshy in feel with depths of ripe red and blue fruits elevated by juicy acidity, while a tinge of bitter dark chocolate adds contrast toward the close. The balance here is brilliant as sweet tannins frame a black tea-like tension, with hints of licorice fading through the incredibly long finish. Already enjoyable today, the 2015 also has the inner harmony to mature beautifully for up to a decade.”
2014 Brunello di Montalcino – 93+
“The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino is delicate in the glass, mixing dried strawberries with cedary spices and nuances of sage. It washes across the palate with soft textures, revealing its minerality upfront as a cascade of herbal-laced red berry fruits settles on the senses. This tapers off long and chewy, revealing edgy tannins and hints of licorice. San Lorenzo only made 50% of their normal production in 2014, a truly challenging year. I must say there is serious potential here.”
2010 Brunello di Montalcino – 95
“The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with a beguiling blend of rosemary, white pepper and flowery underbrush, complicating rich cherry sauce. It is radiant, with a pretty inner sweetness, crisp red berry fruits and mineral tones, all supported by bright acidity. Crunchy and long, the 2010 resonates with youthful tension as adolescent tannin frames the experience beautifully. It is important to note that there was no Riserva in 2010 as wild boars and deer decimated the vineyard that produces it.”
2007 Brunello di Montalcino – 92
“Macerated strawberries mix with autumnal spices and dusty earth as the 2007 Brunello di Montalcino releases its powerful bouquet. Elegant in character, it offers polished red berry fruits and silken textures, with a slight hint of mocha emerging toward the close. It finishes chewy and long, with a balsamic twang and nuances of sour cherry that linger. The 2007 is fully ready to reveal all its charms.”
2005 Brunello di Montalcino – 94
“The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino is fresh and lifted in character, mixing rose petals with minty herbs, shavings of pine and dried strawberries. It is silky smooth with brisk acidity and bright cherry-berry fruits, as tantalizing acidity provides a lovely inner harmony. Resolved and perfumed, it offers a subtle tart berry twang and hints of citrus that maintain an energetic feel. The 2005 has matured beautifully. It’s incredible to think that this vintage wasn’t appreciated upon release.”
2004 Brunello di Montalcino – 93
“Dark earth tones blend with a scent of fall leaves, balsamic spice and dried black cherries as the 2004 Brunello di Montalcino slowly evolves in the glass. It is wonderfully fresh within, with a lovely richness to its silken textures as ripe red and black fruits swirl across a wave of fresh acidity. Hints of spiced orange mingle with minerals and a slight tinge of fine tannin as the 2004 finishes on a note of refinement. More mature on the nose than on the palate, the 2004 is in a lovely place.”
A personal note
These reviews describe the wines, but they also tell a part of our story. I often say that each vintage teaches me something, and each year demands humility and patience. To see these wines recognized in this way is a great honor, and a motivation to continue working with the same dedication that has guided me for decades.
All these vintages (from the historical releases to the newest ones) are collected inside the Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Collection publication.
For a limited time, and until stock runs out, I am including a complimentary copy with every order shipped directly from the SanLorenzo winery. If you would like to place your order or receive more information, feel free to contact me. I will be happy to assist you personally!
And if you’d like to see it all with your own eyes, we welcome you to visit us. Come experience the beauty of this awakening and discover the work worthy of Brunello that lies behind each bottle we produce.
Click here to book your tasting!