RENIERI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
TUSCANY, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY: A 98-point Brunello Riserva for $75!? How does Marco Bacci continue to do it? Year after year, his Renieri estate produces Brunellos that score alongside Italy's most celebrated (and expensive) names, yet remain priced for everyday drinking. But it’s not just the quality of these wines; it’s the commitment to detail. We love his reliance on throwback methods — hand harvesting, separate plot vinification, and vine density limits of 6000 per hectare — which, combined with Montalcino's complex volcanic soils, make for Brunellos of uncommon depth and drinkability.
A NOTE ON FORMAT: We've secured these in multiple formats, from standard bottles to impressive magnums and show-stopping double magnums and imperials, perfect for special occasions or extended cellaring … and exceptional values, to go on top of the already great values.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling was positively rapturous about the 2019 Riserva, awarding it a stunning 98 points and praising its "very floral" character, "velvety polished tannins" and "really elegant fruit profile with precise acidity, depth and vibrancy." He particularly admired its "long and seamless finish.” Suckling was similarly impressed with the 2018 Riserva (95 points), noting its "intoxicating nose," "elegant tannins, filigreed and condensed," along with "a solid spine of acidity, a full body and a vibrant finish." For the 2020 Brunello, he again awarded 95 points, highlighting its "complex" nature, "firm, chalky tannins and crisp, almost zesty acidity," concluding that there's "good substance here for the long haul."
OUR TASTING NOTES: The 2019 Riserva is simply breathtaking, one of those wines that stops conversation when it hits your palate. There's a floral delicacy here that belies its structure, like an Olympic weightlifter who moves with the grace of a dancer. The 2020 Brunello strikes me as that rare wine that tells two stories simultaneously: a bright, vibrant narrative of youthful fruit alongside deeper, more contemplative notes that hint at what's to come. Red cherry and wild strawberry aromas dominate the nose, while that signature Montalcino minerality asserts itself on the palate, creating tension against the fruit. What's most remarkable is how complete it feels already, while clearly having decades ahead of it. The 2018 Riserva in magnum format offers additional complexity from its extra year of age, and, as might be hoped, unfolds deliberately and sinuously in the glass, with each return revealing new dimensions.
THE PROCESS: Bacci's approach combines traditional methods with thoughtful innovation. Each vineyard plot is harvested by hand and vinified separately to preserve its distinctive character. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by extended maceration to extract optimal color and tannin. The wines then age in a combination of French oak barriques and larger Slavonian oak casks for 24-36 months, depending on the bottling.
THE STORY: When Marco Bacci took the reins at Renieri, bringing his analytical mind and passionate vision to bear on this storied corner of Tuscany, the estate's fortunes shifted almost immediately. Recognizing the untapped potential of Montalcino's southern slopes, Bacci set out to craft wines that would rival the world's best while at the same time remaining true to their origins. His commitment to traditional methods, combined with a willingness to innovate where it matters, has elevated Renieri to the upper echelons of Brunello producers. What sets Bacci apart from many of his peers is his insistence that exceptional quality doesn’t have to mean eye-popping prices, a philosophy that has earned him a devoted (and rightly passionate) following.
FUN FACT: Marco Bacci's dedication to quality extends beyond wine; he's also an accomplished olive oil producer, crafting some of Tuscany's most sought-after extra virgin oils from the estate's centuries-old olive groves.
OUR GUARANTEE: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure these bottles for yourself today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. 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. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in CT, KS, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Thursday, May 30th, 2025.