Siro Pacenti – 2020 Pelagrilli Brunello di Montalcino.

Siro Pacenti – 2020 Pelagrilli Brunello di Montalcino.

A vibrant and sculpted Brunello that channels Sangiovese’s precision and depth.

In the world of Brunello di Montalcino, Siro Pacenti’s Pelagrilli has carved out a reputation for purity, focus, and a modern touch. The 2020 vintage continues this narrative with remarkable confidence—offering a wine where fruit brightness and textural finesse walk hand in hand with structure and length.

This is Brunello in its most finely tailored form: expressive, polished, and built for both immediate pleasure and graceful aging.

About the Winery

Founded in the 1970s by Rosildo Pacenti and now led by his son Giancarlo, Siro Pacenti is widely regarded as one of the most precise and quality-driven producers in Montalcino. The estate covers 22 hectares split between the warmer southern slopes of the village and the cooler, higher-altitude vineyards of the north—most notably in the Pelagrilli area.

Giancarlo’s philosophy combines meticulous vineyard management with a Burgundian sensitivity to site expression. French oak barriques are used throughout the range, giving the wines a sleek, polished character without overshadowing the nuances of Sangiovese. The Pelagrilli cuvée is sourced from younger vines (15–25 years old) in the northern sector, producing a style that is bright, elegant, and accessible, yet still true to Brunello’s gravitas.

About the Wine

The 2020 Pelagrilli shows a luminous ruby core, offering a first impression that’s as inviting as it is precise. On the nose, layers unfold gradually: juicy red cherries, wild strawberries, and redcurrants are lifted by hints of mint, eucalyptus, and crushed violets. Subtle undertones of cedar, tobacco leaf, and warm minerals add complexity without heaviness.

On the palate, the wine strikes an impressive balance between energy and texture. There is an immediate clarity of fruit—ripe yet fresh—that glides across the tongue with silken tannins. A touch of balsamic spice and wild herbs gives depth, while the acidity keeps the profile lifted and mouthwatering. The finish is long, tapering slowly with notes of sour cherry and sweet earth.

Matured in French barriques, the 2020 Pelagrilli carries the winery’s signature refinement, yet its core remains firmly rooted in Sangiovese’s natural elegance. Already harmonious, it will develop further complexity over the next decade.

Conclusion

Siro Pacenti’s 2020 Pelagrilli Brunello di Montalcino is a poised and articulate expression of the northern Montalcino terroir—structured enough for cellaring, yet supple and charming even in youth. It’s a wine for those who value clarity over opulence, and it speaks fluently in the language of precision winemaking.

We award this wine a 95-point DWA score—a benchmark example of modern, fruit-driven Brunello that remains deeply authentic.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Siro Pacenti is imported and distributed in the Netherlands by Residence Wijnen, and available through select partners in the hospitality industry and their retail chain De Gouden Ton.

Price:               €66,95

Taste Date:     August 2025 

Glass Type:     Spiegelau Definition Universal

Writer:            Niels Aarts

Score:              95/100 DWA Score  

Website:         Siro Pacenti