2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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Tasting notes
Altesino’s Brunello Riserva remains quite reserved on the nose for now, but with a bit of coaxing there are lovely dark cherry fruit and dark chocolate aromas. On the palate you are immediately struck by the depth of the wine. The layers of tannin create fantastic space on the palate and are well integrated, with dark berry and black cherry fruit flavours adding a fleshy richness to the wine. Savoury toasted hazelnut, floral violet and darker bitter chocolate notes add to the wine’s complexity. There is a lovely energy on the fantail finish with the dried floral bouquet nicely sitting above the fruit and lingering long on the tongue.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The Altesino 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva holds tight to its unique character and power. The classic 2016 vintage produced generous wines that are layered and rich but also coiled tightly at their core. This wine exemplifies this point, adding lots of tart Sangiovese fruit and freshness along the way. It also shows an impressive richness of flavors with dried cherry, licorice, pressed violets, balsam herb and dusty limestone. The caveat with this wine, should you decide to drink it early, is that it needs extra time to open (and a double decanting would also help). This 10,000-bottle production opens beautifully in time.
Maturing mid ruby. Deep fruit nose with a suggestion of gingerbread. Supple round fruit on the palate that is immediately accessible. Rich but easy-going and with hints of sweet, candied fruit on the finish. (WS)
There’s beautiful purity in this Brunello with cherry and floral aromas, as well as hints of lavender and rosemary flowers. It’s full-bodied with linear tannins that provide form and focus. It’s extremely long and beautiful, yet needs three to four years to show all the goodness it has.
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.