98 point

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.

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.

94 point

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.

93 point

The 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is a saturated but youthful deep red/brick color and is ripe with notes of black licorice, walnut, dark cherry pit, and polished leather. Full-bodied, it has more gamey richness on the palate, with ripe tannins and an earth-noted finish. I prefer the Brunellos over the Riserva here, as they offer more transparency and freshness.