96+ points Wine Advocate
A polished and finely detailed expression, the Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto 2021 Brunello di Montalcino showcases tension and subtle sweetness carried across a taut, silky palate with beautifully textured tannins. Dusty mineral notes add definition and lift, while the overall impression remains ethereal and weightless, a hallmark of the estate’s precision with Sangiovese in this classic vintage. The wine balances finesse and structure with remarkable poise. Production totals 15,715 bottles, including 180 magnums and other larger formats.

By Monica Larner Jan 29, 2026 (The Wine Advocate):
Gianni Brunelli Le Chiuse di Sotto is a finely tuned Brunello estate that farms in several distinct zones of the appellation. Podernovone is a cool and windy site at 500 meters above sea level that includes two high-performing hectares on the crest of a hill known as Vigna Oliva. Le Chiuse di Sotto sits at 280 meters above sea level, where cooler soils are valued for the acidity they bring to the wines. A newly planted half-hectare parcel of Sangiovese in the Chiuse area, planted three years ago and now entering production, is intended to provide additional fruit over time to offset the estate’s famously severe quality selection. This mosaic of sites reflects the late Gianni Brunelli’s belief that Brunello achieves its greatest expression through blending complementary terroirs rather than relying on a single vineyard.

95 points Vinous Media
Drinking window: 2028 - 2046
Dried flowers mix with crushed rocks, grilled herbs and spiced orange peels as the darkly alluring 2021 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up from the glass. The wine is polished in feel, silken and serene with a harmonious mix of tantalizing acidity, minerals and ripe red and black fruits. While tannic, the tannins are round and refined, leaving a classically dry sensation as hints of licorice and cedary spice fade.

Vineyard location: Podernovone, altitude 500m south-western exposure, planted in 1998 Le Chiuse di Sotto, altitude 250 m; north-eastern exposure, planted in 1989
Soils: Galestro, schist, limestone, sand, white clay
Training system: Cordon trained, spur pruned, 4’500 vines/ha
Harvest: Hand-picked, in boxes, the last days of September
Fermentation temperature: 27-28°C for 5 – 6 days
Length of maceration: 12-16 days at 32C
Ageing: 32 months in Slavonian oak casks of 10/25/30 hl, new, medium and old oak.
Bottling: June 17th, 2025
Grape variety: 100% Sangiovese
Alcohol | Total acidity: 14% | 6.19 gr/l

The 2021 vintage: A vintage characterized by rather high average temperatures but with excellent day/night temperature variations during the summer months. Deep mechanical soil tillage and organic fertilization in winter, then careful canopy management and green harvesting, all to ensure a balanced vegetative growth and optimal fruit ripening. The wines display a complex aromatic profile with pronounced freshness and fragrance. Analytical values are highly appropriate for a vintage that stands out for its integrity, fruit freshness, and certainly excellent longevity