VERY LIMITED
98 Points Wine Spectator
This is fluid and starts out supple, evoking cherry, plum and forest floor flavors, with flashes of tar and pine. The taut, driving structure, especially its bracing acidity, propels this red to the superlong aftertaste. Dense, resonant tannins define the finish, which feels compact now despite the unabashed length.
95 Points Kerin O'Keefe
Aromas of underbrush and violet mingle with pipe tobacco, hay and cedar. The full-bodied, high-toned palate offers ripe cherry, licorice and coffee bean and licorice before closing on bitter orange. An acidic backbone and firm, fine-grained tannins provide the framework. Drink 2029–2039.
94 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Like many other producers in the appellation, Altesino jumped forward from the 2017 Riserva directly to this vintage. The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva shows more density and overall fruit weight. The wine also reveals thick textural heft and, ultimately, more dark fruit sweetness. It gives us a much bigger and richer interpretation of Sangiovese.
94 Points James Suckling
A very classic and telltale Montalcino. The subtle nose shows smoky woodland and forest-floor aromas allied to dried cherries and raspberries, dried roses and earthy minerality. The full-bodied palate has velvety tannins, a chalky finish, refreshing acidity and a tight, eminently floral finish. Drinkable now but best from 2028 or 2029.
94 Points Decanter
This Riserva favours the estate’s most southerly vineyards in 2019, with the majority of lots coming from the Pianezzine site near Sant’Angelo in Colle. It is a rousing interplay of dark earthy nuance – wet forest floor, leather and mushroom – with sweet, luscious fruits. Here, wild strawberry and dark plum provide the backdrop. The tannins are silky and polished yet build with intensity and grip in this full-bodied offering. It culminates with a suggestion of iron before shutting down. Cellaring is advised.
94 Points Vinous
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is dark and brooding, with hints of black tea leaves, crushed rocks and smoke before giving way to the scent of dried black cherry. It balances silken textures with a pure mix of ripe red and black fruits as cooling acidity maintains a lovely balance. Aromas of citrus-laced blackberries mix with sage and nuances of licorice. This finishes long and potent yet still quite fresh.
Winemaker Notes
Brunello Riserva offers a solid, full body and excellent aging potential. Its ample and complex bouquet is reminiscent of violets, wild berries, cedar, leather, tobacco and spices. On the palate, it is austere and seductive with a perfect blend of fruit, acidity and mouth coating tannins. This is the perfect bottle for Brunello lovers.
Food Pairings
Pair with Steak au poivre, rack of lamb or beef carpaccio.
