2021 Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino
Altesino is without question one of the benchmark, historic estates of Montalcino, and their classic Brunello is a wine we
Producer
Altesino
I have reviewed one wine from Altesino: the 2021 Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino (96 points). Altesino also features in one journal article on this site.
Altesino is a pillar of Montalcino’s history and a true pioneer of the region. In 1975 it introduced the idea of the single-vineyard cru to Brunello with its Montosoli bottling, and it was also among the first estates to experiment with barrique, blending tradition with forward-thinking viticulture.
The estate lies in the cooler northern sector of the appellation, and its hallmark has always been elegance, bright aromatics and polished tannins rather than brawn. In 2021 it shared the crystalline purity and crunchy red fruit that define the northern reach of the vintage.
The classic Brunello di Montalcino shows that style at its best. The 2021 leaps from the glass with wild red cherry, crushed raspberry, dried rose petal, sweet tobacco and savory cedar. It is polished and seamless, with fine-grained, silky tannins around a core of energetic red fruit, structured enough to age for a decade or more yet balanced enough to enjoy now after decanting. Altesino remains an essential benchmark for terroir-driven, age-worthy Brunello.
2021 Brunello di Montalcino – Vintage Report
If 2019 was operatic and 2020 was sunny, 2021 is the year of transparency. This is a vintage that vibrates with energy, defined by significant diurnal shifts that locked in soaring aromatics and “al dente” fruit profiles. Moving away from sheer muscle, the 2021 Brunellos are architectural and nervy, showcasing a savory, saline grip that speaks clearly of the Montalcino soil. For the collector who values elegance and tension over weight, this is a sophisticated, “intellectual” vintage that promises a fascinating evolution in the cellar.