By Cortonesi
La Manella Brunello di Montalcino 2021

Background
Brunello di Montalcino of Tuscany has been called "the king of wines," and this "king" is what Cortonesi specializes in. The Cortonesis established La Mannella in the '70s, covering 138 acres in one of the most storied areas of the Montalcino region. Only 19 of those acres are dedicated to producing world-class Brunello. They began selling their wine commercially in 1985. Today, the wines are in the more-than-capable hands of Tommaso Cortonesi, a third-generation winemaker. The first vintage of Cortonesi's Brunello came in 1990, which took advantage of the rocky, well-drained soils of the vineyard site, ensuring a long-aging wine. Modern technological advances have helped continue to shape this outstanding wine.

Viticulture
Sourced from a 25-year-old, dry-farmed single vineyard on the north side of the Montalcino hill in the La Mannella zone - near Montosoli at 300m elevation. Vines grow in galestro- and clay-rich soils with a strong presence of stones. Estate-grown and hand-selected, the vines are trained using the spurred cordon system.

Vinification
Hand-harvested, carefully selected grapes undergo a 25-day maceration and fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel (78-86 degrees F) with selected yeasts. The wine is then aged for 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks, resulting in a Brunello of finesse, elegance, and strong aging potential.

Wine Details
Producer: Cortonesi
Region: DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L
Residual Sugar: 0 g/L
pH: 3.47

Tasting Notes
Dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum with notes of toasted almond, earth, and grilled herbs. Fresh, balanced, and food-friendly, with a touch of sweet cherry on the finish.
[Information provided by Quintessential Wines]

Wine: 2021 Cortonesi Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: 2026 - 2040
Review Date: 01/29/2026
Reviewed By: Monica Larner
Tasting Notes: The Cortonesi 2021 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella opens to savory notes of dark fruit and spice, offering a medium-rich, velvety texture that strikes a fine balance between freshness and fruit weight. Soft, supple tannins contribute to an easy, flowing palate feel, giving the wine early appeal without sacrificing structure. The La Mannella site lies not far from Montosoli and benefits from relatively cool growing conditions. [...]. The wine reflects the cooler microclimate of the site, lending freshness to the naturally ripe 2021 vintage.

Wine: La Mannella di Cortonesi Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella 2021
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: Best from 2029 through 2045
Review Date: 06/30/2026
Reviewed By: Bruce Sanderson
Tasting Notes: This is fresh and densely textured, evoking black cherry, blackberry, violet and oak spice flavors. Fluid midpalate, with beefy tannins exerting their influence on the dry finish. The fine length shows the potential. Best from 2029 through 2045.

Wine: Cortonesi Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella 2021
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028 - 2040
Review Date: 11/2025
Reviewed By: Eric Guido
Tasting Notes: The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella opens with attractive crushed black raspberries, clove, and lifting mint nuances. Brisk acidity frames silken textures and ripe red and black berry fruits. Long and structured yet balanced, the 2021 leaves a mineral tinge and cheek-pinching hint of citrus.

Wine: Cortonesi Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella 2021
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: From 2027
Review Date: 12/13/2025
Reviewed By: Zekun Shuai
Tasting Notes: Graphite, warm bread and baking spices with savory plums and a touch of peppercorns and tar. Rich, modern and juicy, with almost full body and tightly wound tannins. Flavorful and plush at the end. Drink from 2027.

Wine: Cortonesi, La Mannella, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2021
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028 - 2037
Review Date: 11/15/2025
Reviewed By: Michaela Morris
Tasting Notes: La Mannella is Cortonesi’s home plot, in Montalcino’s north. Winemaker Tommaso Cortonesi points to reduced yields due to frost and the warm growing season for the extra weight this demonstrates in 2021. [...]. Beyond classic scents of yellow broom, it exhibits sweet herbs, baked stone and a hint of sundried tomato. The compact, dark cherry core is corseted by assertive and dry, sand-textured tannins. Lovely floral notes poke through and the finish introduces an iron-like element.

Wine: Cortonesi, La Manella 2021 Brunello di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 17+/20
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028 - 2038
Review Date: 12/01/2025
Reviewed By: Walter Speller
Tasting Notes: Lustrous mid ruby. Spicy and minerally rather than fruity on the nose at first, but with pure cherry underneath. Elegant sour cherry and raspberry with firm, powdery tannins. Still very embryonic and in need of more time, which this wine deserves.