Altesino Montalcino, Tuscany

Brunello stands out from other Sangiovese-based Tuscan reds, perhaps most of all because it is made from the single Brunello clone of Sangiovese, while Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are blends. Montalcino, closer to the sea, is generally warmer and drier so ripening is earlier, and vintages more consistent. After purchasing the property in 1970, Giulio Consonno and his collaborators began several years of experimentation. They were convinced that the strict aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino were preventing them from making the best wine they could. The found that the strong, tannic wines obtained from their grapes do not show their best potential when subjected to 3 1/2 years of aging in botti. Instead, putting these same wines into small, French oak cooperage for shorter periods of time brings out the fruit, softens the tannins and results in perfectly balanced wines. To quote the Wine Spectator article "The Cream of the Crop" (July 31, 2007), "Altesino is one of the most consistent Brunello producers going. Its white label "normale" is almost always an outstanding bottle and drinks very well young. However, Altesino's single-vineyard Brunello, Montosoli, is the legend-maker for the estate. Located on the north side of Montalcino, the slightly more than 11-acre Montosoli is one of the most beautiful hillside vineyards in Italy, with near-perfect exposure to the sun ensuring optimum fruit ripeness. Made only in top vintages, it is a racy, powerfully structured red that needs years of bottle age to fulfill its potential. Altesino's Brunello Riserva can also be top-notch."

Rosso di Toscana 2009 Its attractive price and Brunello heritage has always made us refer to this wine as a "Baby Brunello". It is surprisingly sophisticated with plenty of morello cherry fruit intermingled with saddle leather. Sangiovese with a dash of Cabernet Sauvignon that adds backbone. Perfect with roasted or grilled meats and chicken. Strikingly good value. "Like a cross between cherry pie and hard candy, this is appealing, if straightforward. Light tannins shore up the finish. Sangiovese with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2012 through 2015." 86 points, Wine Spectator, Oct 2011

Brunello di Montalcino 2006 Altesino is widely considered to be Italy's finest producer of Brunello di Montalcino and one of the first producers in Montalcino to make a more modern style of Brunello. The 2006 represents a pure expression of the Sangiovese grape. The palate is dry and velvety with an optimal balance of rich fruit, acidity and tannin. Recommended with roasted red meats and game. Excellent with aged cheese. "Medium red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, blood orange, minerals, mocha and cocoa powder: I was reminded of Burgundy. Wonderfully tight and perfumed in the mouth, with superb youthful definition to the raspberry and floral flavours. Perfumed and light on its feet. Finishes sharply delineated, firmly tannic and impressively long. With three full days in the recorked bottle, this wine became denser and more minerallly, offering a leathery hint and terrific sexy breadth." 94 (+?) points, Int'l Wine Cellar, July/Aug 2011 "Smells like Red Burgundy, with floral, cherry, woodsy and graphite aromas and flavours. Sweet and silky, underscored by firm, integrated tannins. Distinctive and delicious. Best from 2013 through 2022. 7,500 cases made" 91 points, Wine Spectator, June 2011 Also available in 375mls

Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Riserva The 'Riserva' designation is given only to wines that have been aged 5 years, are produced only in excellent vintages, and are produced in limited quantities. This wine is designed for the discerning and passionate collector. This dark red Brunello Riserva clearly shows an aroma of humus as well as a wide, complex and ethereal bouquet of deep, dark cherry, leather, and sweet tobacco. In the mouth it lingers with the fascinating character of this terroir and style, with a clearly structured palate and full body. A perfect red for bisteck Fiorentina. "This stunning wine boasts loads of character that peels off as aromatic layers of cherry, cassis, soapy wild flowers, violets, earth, cola and church incense. There's a sweet spice element of cinnamon and nutmeg and all the flavours last long on the finish. It's tempered, elegant and smooth overall." 96 points, Wine Enthusiast, October 2010 "Dried strawberry and floral aromas follow through to a full body, with wonderfully sweet, ripe fruit. Balanced and long. Goes on and on. So persistent and fine on the palate. Hard not to drink this now. Best after 2011" 93 points, Wine Spectator, October 2010

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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