2010 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Vendemmia
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Tasting notes
Mature bricky colour and the beginning of mature aromas – still showing sweet fruit but also some decaying leaves to add complexity. Fresh, still quite chewy. Really straight-up-and-down Brunello with impressive length. Benchmark and à point but with a way to go. (JH)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Mid ruby. Smells like red-fruit squash. Strawberry sweetness and blackcurrant fruit pastille. Texture is juicy but the tannins are quite thick, even though they are soft. I find it a little too much like a fruit sweet but it's certainly fresh and bright. The tannins are fine but there is a slight bitterness on the finish. (JH)
Medium red with some bricking at the rim. Appealing brightness on the nose but also some dungy farmyard character. Excellent combination of density and freshness of structure, but the flavours really are not together. Rather a bruised, mushroomy feel. (AH)
Altesino's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is fresh, lively and very nicely balanced throughout. Sweet red berries, mint, sage and cinnamon lift from the glass. The 2010 is effortless and totally delicious today, although the flavors are quite fruit-driven. Readers who are looking for more complexity will want to age the 2010 for at least a few years, but it is already quite appealing, even at this early stage.
About the producer
Altesino is one of the top producers in Brunello di Montalcino. The estate is famous for bottling the first separate Cru from the Montosoli hill, which has since become widely recognised for its distinct, elegant style of Brunello.