2017 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli
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Tasting notes
This is one of the icon wines of Montalcino and one of the bottles that best captures the character of this prized vineyard cru. Altesino farms 4.5 hectares in Montosoli at 350 meters in elevation with galestro soils. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli is darkly concentrated and rich. It shows an almost creamy consistency that was not easy to achieve in this hot vintage that tends to underline tannic power and alcohol. Instead, this wine offers a steady stream of dark fruit flavors that transition to spice, leather and sweet tobacco. Production is limited to 15,000 bottles.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Healthy mid ruby. Expressive cherry with a hint of pine on the nose. On the palate succulent, generous and elegant at the same time. Very long and with bags of attractive, long chewy tannins underneath. Quite a bit of oak on the finish, but should be allowed more time in the bottle to integrate more. (WS)
The aromatics alone are worth the price of entry on the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli. A dazzling display is revealed as this opens like a basket of freshly picked flowers with ripe strawberries, cloves and a hint of plum sauce that adds gravitas. Its elegance is nicely matched by a balanced inner sweetness, as mineral-tinged red berries are contrasted by hints of sour citrus and savory spice. Fine tannins mount, yet are almost imperceptible until the finish, where notes of blood orange mingle with licorice and inner rose. In a word, spellbinding. While some cellaring will be needed, I expect the 2017 Montosoli to enjoy a broad, open and highly pleasurable drinking window.
Mid ruby with a pale rim. Fairly light nose with hints of leaf mould, even if there is more intensity than in the regular bottling. Good attack and still quite a bit of tannin in evidence. Very drying finish. Will the fruit wait for the tannins to resolve? I’m not sure. But there is some impressive persistence… (JR)
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.