2017 Rosso di Montalcino

With their winery located in the extreme northeast of Montalcino, Altesino still firmly believes in the power of the blend, with vineyards in the north, including the famed Montosoli, but also the south, in Castelnuovo dell'Abate and Sant’Angelo in Colle, both of which bring the warmth and power of those regions. The fact is that while much of the Montalcino looks to single vineyards and defining terroir, Altesino remains in an excellent position to make one of the most balanced expressions of Brunello in any vintage, simply by tweaking the blend. The result in 2015 is one of the best, young Altesino Brunellos that I can remember tasting, and only a notch below their famous expression of Montosoli. However, one cannot discount how important or successful the Montosoli was in 2015. Northwest exposures, the highest elevation in the cru, and soils rich in limestone give their 2015 Montosoli the combination of vivid perfumes, velvety textures, classic structure and an almost saline-minerality - it’s quite a wine.