New Releases: Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Spectacular Riserva’s from 2016 and 2006, Brunello 2019

Just like Rocche dei Manzoni in Piemonte and Billecart-Salmon in Champagne, another cornerstone estate that Italian Wine Merchants proudly opened its doors with over 25 years ago—and has remained steadfastly devoted to ever since—is Talenti in Montalcino. The reason is simple and profound: in all this time, the winery has not changed its spirit, its values, or its dedication. What Talenti offered in the 1990s—authentic, beautifully crafted, and brilliantly expressive Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino—remains exactly what it delivers today. The wines embody everything that drew us to this estate in Montalcino in the first place: authenticity, complexity, and pure drinkability, all while maintaining an exceptional price-to-quality ratio. Today’s offer is a testament to that consistency, featuring the new to market 2021 Rosso, the 2019 Brunello, and two magnificent 2016 Riservas wines that rival their peers in depth and collectability at a fraction of the cost.

Founded in 1981 by Pierluigi (Piero) Talenti, the estate has long stood as one of the true benchmarks of southern Montalcino. Originally from Emilia-Romagna, Piero fell in love with Montalcino’s wild hills and limestone-rich soils, acquiring the Pian di Conte farm in the 1950s.  He quickly established himself as a quiet innovator, devoted to Sangiovese Grosso but never tempted by trends. His philosophy was balance: to express the natural grace of Montalcino’s terroir without excess power or manipulation. By focusing on clonal selection, careful vineyard mapping, and restrained cellar work, Talenti helped define the elegant, classical style that became the soul of the southern zone.

Today, the legacy is carried forward by Riccardo Talenti, Piero’s grandson, who continues his grandfather’s vision with subtle refinements. Under Riccardo’s direction, the estate farms 40 hectares—half under vine—spread across some of Montalcino’s most prized zones, including Pian di Conte, Pian di Conte Alto, and Piero’s namesake cru. The vineyards lie between 250–400 meters in altitude, blessed with a mix of galestro, clay, and marl that gives Talenti wines their distinctive tension between richness and freshness. In the cellar, the approach remains true to tradition: long macerations, slow fermentations, and aging in large Slavonian oak botti, ensuring that the wines retain their natural purity, structure, and identity year after year.

For over six decades, Talenti has been an anchor of authenticity in a region often pulled by fashion. Their wines are marked by precision, honesty, and patience—never showy, but always soulful. Each vintage tells the story of the land and the family that has tended it with unbroken devotion.

Talenti Rosso di Montalcino 2021 – Fermented in stainless steel and aged for about a year in large oak casks, this Rosso captures the vivid, youthful charm of Sangiovese Grosso. Notes of ripe cherry, violets, and sweet herbs lead to a fresh, medium-bodied palate full of lift and juicy minerality—vibrant and utterly Montalcinese.

Special Price $29.99

Special 12 Bottles Price $24.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – From meticulously selected parcels around Pian di Conte, this Brunello ferments slowly on native yeasts before maturing for 30 months in large Slavonian botti. The result is a wine of classical proportion: dark cherry, cedar, dried flowers, and tobacco unfold with fine tannins and striking poise.

Special Price $64.99

Special 12 Bottles Price $59.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Pian di Conte” 2016 – Crafted from the estate’s oldest vines, the Pian di Conte Riserva spends over 36 months in large oak, followed by long bottle aging. Deeply structured and complex, it layers black plum, incense, balsamic tones, and savory spice—silky yet powerful, a model of age-worthy grace.

Special Price $99.99

Special 6 Bottles Price $94.99

Special Price 1.5L $229.99

Special 6 Bottles Price 1.5L $216.67

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Piero” Single Vineyard 2015 (6 Pack)– Named in honor of founder Piero Talenti, this single-vineyard Riserva represents the pinnacle of the estate’s work and vision. The wine is sourced from a select parcel within Pian di Conte, where the vines—planted on a mix of clay, limestone, and galestro at around 400 meters—yield fruit of exceptional concentration and natural balance. Fermentation takes place slowly on native yeasts in stainless steel, followed by nearly four years of aging in large Slavonian oak casks and an extended refinement in bottle before release.

The result is a magnificent expression of southern Montalcino with aromas of dark cherry, black plum, rose petal, and sweet tobacco unfold with hints of balsamic herbs, iron, and graphite. On the palate, it is both structured and seamless, with layered tannins and a persistent mineral drive that carries through to a long, resonant finish. 2015—one of the most balanced and complete vintages of the decade—gives this “Piero” Riserva remarkable energy and precision beneath its depth and warmth. A true collector’s Brunello, crafted to honor legacy, patience, and the timeless elegance of Sangiovese Grosso.

Special 6 Pack Price $1,299.99

The vintage, well-aged bottles below come with perfect provenance—having traveled directly from Talenti, to the importer, and then to Italian Wine Merchants, always under strict temperature-controlled conditions. They have since rested undisturbed in our impeccably maintained cellar, preserved exactly as they should be. Because when it comes to older wines, not all bottles are created equal. The label may be the same, but the contents can differ dramatically—from mind-blowingly exceptional to utterly disappointing—depending on how the wine has been handled over the years. Provenance is everything. So trust those who treat each bottle not as inventory, but as something they love and protect with absolute care and respect.

Talenti Rosso di Montalcino 2013 – Fermented in stainless steel and aged one year in large casks, the 2013 Rosso shows purity and finesse with aromas of red currant, cherry, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, it’s lively and polished, carrying fine acidity and supple tannins—a classic, graceful vintage with real Brunello depth in miniature form.

Special Price $84.99

Talenti Rosso di Montalcino 2016 – From one of Montalcino’s great modern vintages, this Rosso overdelivers in every way. Fresh red berries, wild herbs, and sweet spice leap from the glass, leading to a structured yet juicy palate framed by vibrant mineral tension—an energetic, beautifully transparent wine that foreshadows its Brunello sibling.

Special Price $84.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2008 – A warm yet structured vintage shaped by Talenti’s signature finesse. Aged in a mix of Slavonian and French oak for 30 months, the 2008 reveals layered aromas of black cherry, dried pomegranate, and leather, with hints of herbs and spice. Silky and refined on the palate, it balances ripe fruit with savory depth, offering immediate charm and the grace to evolve.

Special Price $139.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2011 – A warm, generous vintage tamed by Talenti’s classic restraint. After long maceration and 30 months in large oak, the wine shows plush cherry, dried fig, and leather aromas with underlying freshness. Silky, full, and open-knit, it offers immediate appeal while retaining fine balance and poise.

Special Price $99.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2012 – A vintage of harmony and charm, with layers of wild strawberry, dried herbs, and orange peel. The palate unfolds with soft, ripe tannins and a mineral finish that echoes Talenti’s signature refinement. Elegant and precise—built to drink beautifully now yet capable of further evolution.

Special Price $99.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2013 – A return to classical structure, this wine is tightly woven and aristocratic. Notes of sour cherry, tobacco, graphite, and balsamic herbs rise over a firm, vertical frame. Aging in large Slavonian casks gives it purity and transparency—this is a true traditionalist’s Brunello, patient and noble.

Special Price $119.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Pian di Conte” 2006 – A masterpiece from a monumental vintage, this Riserva spent 36 months in large oak and years in bottle before release. It offers a deep bouquet of black cherry, cigar box, cedar, and truffle. The palate is full and resonant, with tremendous balance—still youthful, still thrilling, a testament to Talenti’s longevity.

Special Price $199.99

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Pian di Conte” 2012 – Elegance and maturity converge here. Dark plum, spice, and dried rose open into a silken texture of perfectly resolved tannins. Long aged in large oak and bottled unhurriedly, it’s a serene, beautifully detailed Riserva that captures both the warmth of the vintage and the finesse of Talenti’s enduring hand.

Special Price $129.99

The above bottles are in our cellar and ready for release