Montosoli is finally here and in researching the wine I came across an article in Wine Spectator. If you have an online subscription, it's the article titled 'Brunello di Montalcino' from the Sept 25, 2002 edition. James Suckling writes, "Claudio Basla is part owner and manager of Altersino, in my opinion the greatest Brunello producer of them all. His single vineyard Brunello, Montosoli, is a rock-solid red with super fruit concentration and a steely backbone of tannins and acidity. It's built for aging". He later calls it "a Ferrari - sexy and sleek". That's some high praise!!
Altesino introduced the idea of Cru or single-vineyard wines to Brunello di Montalcino in 1975 with Montosoli, and the use of French barriques in 1979. This vineyard is located 380 metres above sea level and Altesino owns only 5 hectares.
In very good vintages this vineyard produces exceptional fruit, in excellent years it produces one of the world's finest wines and only then is it bottled as "Montosoli."
I had a chance to try it at Vin Italy, and it was one of the few wines that I refused to spit. Sobriety be damned, this is Montosoli!
Have a great weekend,
Chris McLean.
