San Filippo - Brunello di Montalcino 2020

Decanter Magazine

Dei Comunali brings together various parcels for a snapshot of the San Filippo hamlet. Aromas of spiced dark red cherry and forest floor are focused and precise. Full of vigour and substance, it has confidently extracted tannins which dissolve with a grainy texture and are well absorbed by pulpy red berries. Hints of mint and sweet earth perfume the palate, though the oak veneer still needs integrating. A slight oxidative note suggests this will evolve at a relatively rapid pace.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The San Filippo 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is first defined by its brightness and acidic freshness that is dialed-in nicely. Fruit comes from the estate's historic vineyard plot. The wine is angular and sharp on the palate with tart berry flavors, bitter cassis, pink peppercorn and spice. The tannins are on the chalky side, and the wine delivers crisp flavors over a medium-plus finish. I suggest you give this wine more time to mellow out. Production is 15,000 bottles. Winemaking has been tweaked over the years to avoid too much extraction. The 2020 vintage was especially hot with a few days of rain at the beginning of September. They waited for the fruit to dry on the vine and started harvest the last week of September (concluding on the 8th of October), which is considerably later than the neighbors. Destemmed fruit is managed with easy pump-overs and, on occasion, délestage. Fermentations rarely last more than 18 days.

San Filippo has 10 hectares of vines that are divided into four separate parcels near the winery. The Brunellos are born in the Le Lucére and the San Filippo plots, and fruit from the remaining sites goes to the Rosso di Montalcino. All four plots have diverse clay soil profiles, some with ancient marine deposits and some with a greater presence of sand or silt. Vintner Roberto Giannelli has been certified for organics since 2013, and this past year he added solar panels over the winery roof in order to achieve energy independence.

Wine Spectator