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2016 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

January 21, 2024 - $51

Estimate

RATINGS

95+ The Wine Advocate

Bold cherry, dried raspberry and myrtle add to the intensity and the brightness of the bouquet...lively and fruit-forward ensemble with an infectious and cheerful sense of energy.

95Wine Spectator

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.

95James Suckling

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.

95+ Jeb Dunnuck

...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.

94Vinous / IWC

...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.

92Wine Enthusiast

This polished red opens with aromas recalling violet, wild berry, forest floor and new leather. On the bright, savory palate, lithe, fine-grained tannins accompany spiced cranberry, pomegranate, blood orange and vanilla before finishing on bitter almond. Fresh acidity keeps it light on its feet.

16Jancis Robinson

Balsamic cherry nose with hints of sweet spice. Supple sweet-sour cherry fruit with hints of gingerbread and soft chewy tannins.

REGION

Italy, Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino is entirely Sangiovese. Montalcino itself is a picturesque, hill-top town not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine. Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.