BRUNELLO 2020 JAMES SUCKLING 93/100
AS ALWAYS, THE FIRST RATING ON THE NEW BRUNELLO COMES FROM JAMES SUCKLING, THE AMERICAN CRITIC WHO WAS THE FIRST GREAT FLAG-BEARER FOR BRUNELLO IN THE USA
James Suckling loves Brunello and its producers very much. He is an honorary citizen of Montalcino and always has gestures of great friendship towards local wine makers. This year too he invited 60 producers to the party held in his Tuscan residence which was also attended by Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini.
One of the things that has distinguished Suckling for many years is the desire to beat other critics to the punch and publish reviews first. Obviously, this has created emulation and the tastings of the tasters have been brought forward more and more compared to the date of release on the market of the new vintage which takes place on January 1st.
AMES SUCKLING AND BRUNELLO
Suckling speaks perfect Italian and lives between Italy, the United States, his native country, and China where he has a beautiful wine shop. He organizes events in Asia and America attended by collectors of fine wines and wealthy wine lovers. Suckling is among the critics with the greatest international reputation and among the most active on social media (almost 400,000 followers on Instagram). Refined, very expert, hospitable and very active, James is attracted by everything that is exclusive and prestigious. His predilection is for wines of an imposing and sumptuous style.
Together with Aldo Fiordelli, his senior editor, James Suckling tasted 230 Brunellos from the 2020 vintage, giving a very positive opinion, as of a vintage reminiscent of the splendid 2015.
93/100 TO THE BRUNELLO 2020 BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI
Between the two Brunello 2020 produced by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, James Suckling’s preference went to the classic one which he awarded with a rating of 93/100 cents while he gave 91/100 to the Prime Donne selection judging it to be less structured.
Here is the description of the Brunello written by James Suckling: <<a juicy and bright soft young Brunello with cherries, orange peel and peach. Medium body with fine tannins and crunchy finish. Pushes down at the end. It needs two or three years to open up and soften>>