Wine of the Month: Castello Romitorio 2019 Brunello di Montalcino

Castello Romitorio’s 2019 Brunello di Montalcino lands in that sweet spot where the wine reads as immediately beautiful, but still clearly built for time. The through-line is purity and lift: cherry, wild strawberry, and kirsch up front, threaded with rose petals and violets, then widened by darker, savory accentsand an earthy, mineral undertow.

On the palate, it’s spacious and polished, with lively, citrusy acidity (pomegranate/orange peel energy) giving the fruit real propulsion. The tannins are firm and fine-grained—powerful but streamlined—so the finish comes off long, resonant, and gently “forest-like,” with a graceful glide rather than brute force.

What makes it especially appealing is how accessible it already feels without turning soft: there’s a point of mid-palate sweetness (dried raspberry, cranberry, cassis) and a subtle vanilla/milk-chocolate haze from élevage, but the wine stays fresh, structured, and cleanly framed.

If you’re opening it now, decanting will help it stretch out; if you’re patient, it should reward another two years of bottle age. In Pennsylvania, it’s a standout value at $50, because it often sits closer to $65 outside the state—meaning you’re effectively getting a 94–97-point Brunello at a “next tier down” price.