CAPARZO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
TUSCANY, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY: The Master of Sangiovese is back, with a trio of over-performing, value-delivering Brunellos (from their 97-point 'La Casa' 2020 for only $82 to their 95-point entry-level wine for only $45). Aged, as always, in Slavonian oak, these classically-built wines are a shimmering showcase of Caparzo's proud, throwback style (with its emphasis on balance, harmony, integration, and length), while being, at the same time, vibrant and thrilling in their freshness and energy. Which, come to think of it, can also be said of Caparzo itself, a pioneering estate that belongs to the founding generation of Brunello estates but shows no signs of wear or loss of vitality, and continues to impress and even dazzle. And folks, remember that Caparzo tends to go quickly, so act now to secure your bottles and cases.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling weighed in on all three of these. He was positively rhapsodic about the 97-point 'La Casa' 2020, and his tasting notes are a testament to his unfolding wonder: "very fine tannins and a long, long finish. Creamy and so polished. It goes on for minutes. A graceful and complex 2020 Brunello. ... Beautiful." He was nearly as taken with the Riserva 2019: a “vibrant” wine, he wrote, in his 96-point assessment, with "velvety and ripe tannins ... chewy acidity and a chalky finish. Good blood-orange aftertaste.” As for the entry-level Brunello di Montalcino 2020, a 95-pointer, it shone for him with its "firm, integrated tannins that provide length and focus" and "excellent length."
OUR TASTING NOTES: These are wines that prove that tradition and vitality aren't mutually exclusive. The 'La Casa’ 2020 is a textbook-perfect Sangiovese. Each sip reveals wild herbs that transport you to Mediterranean hillsides, dark berries with jammy intensity, and underneath it all, that distinctive Montalcino earthiness. The texture is pure silk, with marvelously refined, almost caressing tannins. Above all, this wine has presence, the kind that makes conversation come to a stop. The Riserva 2019 is a wine of consummate power, with a dark fruit concentration that fills your mouth, but its power with purpose, never overwhelming. The chalky minerality provides structure for waves of spice and fruit that evolve with each moment in the glass. The finish really does go on and on, leaving traces of blood orange and herbs that make you reach for the bottle again almost involuntarily. A Brunello that reminds you why people fall in love with wine in the first place. And let’s not sleep on the 95-point entry Brunello, which opens like a love letter to everything we adore about Sangiovese: red cherry that seems to have captured actual sunshine, dancing with darker plum notes and hints of cedar and tobacco. And through it all, those silky tannins that make you understand why people dedicate their lives to this wonder of a grape.
THE STORY: When Caparzo released its first vintage, in 1970, there were only 13 Brunello producers in all of Montalcino. Today, touring the region's wineries has become an essential Italian experience, an evolution that can be credited in large part to pioneers like Caparzo. Their revolutionary approach established vineyards across different areas of the appellation, capturing diverse microclimates that make Montalcino special. For over 25 years, winemaking has been guided by Massimo Bracalente, known throughout the region as "The Master of Sangiovese." His expertise, combined with Caparzo’s prime vineyard locations (all perched 220-300 meters above sea level, and with ideal soil compositions of sand, clay, and shale), results in wines of remarkable elegance and enviable aging potential. Caparzo could have simply let that terroir work its magic over time, but instead they took things a marvelous step further, and established themselves as one of the finest producers of Sangiovese in the region.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: Hearty, lusty preparations are the play when it comes to these wines, which have the structure, concentration, and length you want when it comes to rich foods. Think: an herb-roasted rack of lamb, a slow-cooked duck confit, or a lusty ragu capped with fresh-grated parmigiano.
FUN FACT: Despite its revered status as an "OG" of Brunello production, Caparzo was actually a relative latecomer to commercial success. It wasn't until the late 1980s, nearly two decades after they debuted, in 1970, that the wider wine world began to recognize their innovative approach to terroir as something special.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and ship directly from the estate itself, so you can rest assured that your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your bottles and cases today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, KY, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer will expire on Monday, December 8th, 2025.