2016 Brunello di Montalcino Altesino

Fresh violet, forest-floor and some pear-skin aromas, underneath brambleberries. Fresher style of Brunello. It's medium-bodied with silky tannins and a great balance between fresh-fruit and forest flavors. Drink after 2023.

95+: Bold cherry, dried raspberry and myrtle add to the intensity and the brightness of the bouquet. The Altesino 2016 Brunello di Montalcino displays a lively and fruit-forward ensemble with an infectious and cheerful sense of energy. This is a tonic and crisp expression of Sangiovese with lifted berry aromas backed by subtle spice, tar and licorice gained over two years of barrel aging. This is a 110,000-bottle release (and a good buy for Brunello).

Remarkably pretty and poised yet packed full of potential, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino lifts with grace and elegance, showing dusty roses, wild strawberry, white smoke and hints of wet stone. It’s silky and refined, with cooling acids and minerals giving way to savory red berries and spice. Energy remains high, even as fine tannins create a classically dry and youthful expression, tapering off to violet florals, mocha and a hint of licorice that seems to linger for well over a minute. This is deceptively drinkable today, yet it has all of the necessary components to gain in weight and complexity over a decade or more of cellaring.

95P+ The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has remarkably consistent integration from the nose to the palate. There are generous aromatics of fresh raspberry, rosemary, lavender and Mediterranean herbs. The palate opens up with ripe and inviting cherry fruit and tea leaf, with supple tannin and freshness on the finish. Its drinkability now should not be confused for a lack of structure, as it is true to the energetic nature of the vintage. Drink 2021-2036.

Balsamic aromas of wild thyme, juniper, eucalyptus and pine lead off, with cherry and plum fruit at the core. There’s latent energy that’s restrained for now by the grip of tannins, yet this is lithe and nimble despite the solid structure. Best from 2024 through 2045.

One of four estates in Tuscany owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, Altesino counts six vineyard sites throughout Montalcino. They extend from the region’s far north all the way to the southeastern corner of Castelnuovo dell’Abate. An assembly of these, the 2016 Brunello has a sunny, fluid Mediterranean character. It is graciously scented with cinnamon, lavender and sage blossom. Traces of orange and leather appear on the palate. Mid-weight with succulent fruit and fresh, ripe tannins, this is almost approachable now but will offer delightful mid-term drinking.

93P: Altesino er kun blevet bedre med årene og står foran mig som den entreprenante powerkvinde Elisabetta Gnudi Angelinis klart stærkeste af hendes to ejendomme i Montalcino. Tidligere kunne den godt være noget mørk og bister som ung. Præget af de karakteristika, som kendetegner vinene fra den nordlige del af zonen i en kølig årgang; strenge, medicinske og udtalt urtede med rigid tannin, men i 2016-årgangen er vi langt fra dette. Det er, som om vinen har indfanget lidt af charmen fra alle Montalcinos subzoner. Allerede forbavsende åben og klassisk i udtrykket. Altesino er skøn med forbilledlig aromatisk spændvidde. Her er balance, harmoni og autenticitet for hver en krone. Både rank og charmant med distigveret tannin og en tobakket saftighed. Dertil kamfer og hostesaft samt en arketypisk jordet signatur. Fem STORE stjerner.

Bragende fornem, åben og krydret, frugtig og fuld af ÆGTE brunello-karakter, let oxidativ næse med tobak, læder, men smagen er saftig, smertende intens, knibsk og syrefokuseret med intensitet i skyerne og stor eftersmag, intet mindre… stor eftersmag, der bliver ved og markerer sig i munden og mundhulen og næsehulen og… i øjenhulerne!