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 2006 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. "Medium in body, this accessible red possesses notes of dark fruit, earthiness and herbs, with excellent length and fine balance." 87 points, Wine Advocate, Aug 31, 2008

Brunello di Montalcino 2003 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 2003 is soft, elegant and an easy wine to drink now and 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. "These are two beautiful wines from Altesino (this and Montosoli). The 2003 Brunello is a pretty, supple wine with sweet red fruit and an accessible personality. The heat of the vintage is felt in the notes of fruit and oak that linger on the finish. Ideally the oak could be a little more integrated and the tannins might be more finessed, but this is a nicely poised effort from Altesino. Anticipated maturity : 2008-2015." 89 points, Robert Parker April 2008

Brunello di Montalcino 2003 "Montosoli" Altesino has given an extra push to Brunello through the introduction of the concept of the Cru. Montosoli is a vineyard of five hectares situated North East of Montalcino at an attitude of 350-400 meters. The grapes were vinificated separately for the first time during the 1975 harvest. The grapes that grow on this land produce a very elegant wine with an extreme complexity which is given by its position and to its very own peculiar microclimate. The Brunello di Montalcino, Montosoli, is intensely ruby red and turns into deep orange red after aging. The nose has an exceptional personality which includes black cherry, blackberries, raspberries, violets, liquorice and vanilla with a light accent of red pepper. In the mouth it shows a dry, warm, velvety palate-coating personality. It's a very noble wine. Altesino has gained important international recognition for its Cru Montosoli, with Wine Spectator defining it as the second most representative vineyard of Italy. The Montosoli is only made in selected years. "Exhibits aromas of blackberry, mahogony and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied with fresh fruit, soft, velvety tannins and a long finish. This is balanced. Caressing and welcoming. Best from 2009-2014. 220 cases made." 91 points, Wine Spectator, August 2008 "The single vineyard 2003 Montosoli, from one of the regions top sites, is fresher and more vibrant than the regular bottling, with superior finesse and balance. It shows lovely plumpness, clarity and depth in its black cherries, oak, spices and tobacco. This medium to full-bodied wine should drink beautifully over the next decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018." 91 points, Robert Parker April 2008

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