2005 Tuscany Vintage

Chianti Classico: winter temperatures were much lower than in recent years, with abundant snowfall even on lower slopes and cold that lingered until the end of February or the beginning of March. Spring brought sunny days with constant rainfall, and the vines budded uniformly in April amid rainstorms. Flowering and fruit set in early June went without irregularities, with fewer attacks by the main fungal diseases. June was warmer than average, but beginning at the end of July and then throughout August, temperatures were well below average for the period and rain fell at regular intervals. That delayed ripening, though it moved ahead in a regular way without stress. September brought extremely hot days and cool nights, and leaf removal helped growers make the most of the sunny days. The harvest was late: Sangiovese was picked from toward the end of September in the earliest zones until about 20 October. Periods of rain at harvest in certain cases caused outbreaks of mold, so grapes had to be carefully selected. Quantity was down 10 to 15 percent on 2004. Montalcino: July and August were fairly hot and sunny, with some cooler and some rainy days and generally balanced weather that allowed very good development until the end of August. Rain in the first part of September delayed the harvest, which began on 20 September once the sun had dried the grapes. Consorzio director Stefano Campatelli said the early September rain did the vineyards no good, upsetting the balance needed for final ripening, while Consorzio president Filippo Fanti said the September rainy days had no consequences for the crop in Montalcino. Growers sorted out grapes that were not up to standard, and the crop was 15 percent smaller than in 2004.

The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino rated Brunello 2005 four stars, set by a commission of twenty enologists; 2004 had received the maximum five. Consorzio president Patrizio Cencioni called it a harvest of good level, and the Consorzio said the Brunello was made from grapes with higher polyphenols and sugar levels. The wine was due for release on 1 January 2010. The Chianti Classico Consorzio said in November 2005 that it was too early to forecast, but that the wines were on average well structured, with good aromatic and polyphenolic character and balanced alcohol, pH and total acidity. WineSurf's Carlo Macchi, tasting about a hundred Brunello 2005 in 2010, called it no vintage of the century but a normal year after the pouring rain of 2002, the heat and drought of 2003 and a too-productive 2004. He found a classic ruby color with a slight orange rim, returning acidity and freshness, with weak spots of slightly unripe tannins and some diluted palates, and noted that young vines in lesser sites paid the price. His 2.66-star average beat 2004's 2.49.

• Brunello di Montalcino 2005: four stars from the Consorzio; 2004 had five
• Chianti Classico (Consorzio, November 2005): well structured, with balanced alcohol, pH and total acidity
• WineSurf (Macchi): freshness, rustic elegance, decent body and overall balance; enjoyable young, with several years of development ahead