Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023
Valdicava. Poggio di Sotto. Ciacci. Il Poggione. Canalicchio di Sopra. Baricci. Lisini.

All of these great producers make a Montosoli Single-Vineyard Brunello. But Altesino was the very first with their 1975 vintage, paving the way for everyone. They were the first to use barriques in 1979, too.

The 2016 Altesino Montosoli Vineyard Brunello is their piece de resistance and unequivocally a wine of the vintage. A vintage that still remains the greatest in Montalcino's entire history, mind you.

Sitting 350 meters above sea level, the wines from the Vineyards on the Montosoli Hill represent the elegant soul of Brunello, with its elevated acidity, slightly lower alcohol content, and refined tannins.
(You may already know about 2016, but should you need a refresher)

From James Suckling:
BRUNELLO’S GREATEST VINTAGES EVER: 2016 AND 2015
Wednesday, November 11, 2020

"If you ever wanted a Brunello di Montalcino for your cellar to age for decades, then buy the 2016 vintage when the wines come out in the market in January 2021. The 2016 vintage marks the second great year in a row for Brunello di Montalcino following the sensational 2015...

“These are clearly two great vintages,” admitted Carlo Ferrini, the well-respected consulting enologists who has his own small estate in Montalcino called Giodo. I rated both his 2015 and 2016 wines 100 points. “They are terrific young Brunellos.

I like to say that 2016 would be the greatest vintage ever for Brunello if it weren’t for the stupendous 2015."

From Monica Larner, Wine Advocate:
"This is an iconic year, with well-timed moments of crisp coolness (as opposed to the heat spikes we saw in 2015) to shape sharp and linear wines with excellent potential for cellar aging. The 2016 vintage rolls in with the same fanfare and hysteria that surrounded the classic 2010 vintage. It promises to be a well-earned success for Brunello producers."

In fact, she gave the 2016 vintage a higher score (98) than she did the "picture perfect" 2015, so we are expecting great things of these wines!

Wine Spectator reports "Many say quality matched 2015, but add that 2016 is different in style." (link to article HERE)

As for 2018 Rossi di Montalcino wines, Vinous writes: "... are really very special. There’s an attractive combination of highly perfumed aromatics, crunchy red fruit and brilliant acidity that makes these wines harmonious, slightly delicate and a true pleasure to drink."
This is one for ages, at a realistic price rarely found today. We have 30 bottles left and don't want you to miss them! Order online, through our chat, by replying to this email, or by texting us at 650-880-3553.

Ciao,
—James Tran
2016 Altesino Montosoli Vineyard Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

  • 30 bottles left
98 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Leads off with aromas of shiso leaf, juniper and orange peel, along with cherry and berry flavors. Elegant and lacy, this red is focused, with fine intensity and a long, mineral-tinged finish.—Non-blind Altesino/Caparzo Retrospective (April 2022). Best from 2028 through 2045. 1,200 cases made.” -BS

97 Points, #47 Top 100 of Italy - James Suckling:
"Lovely sweet cherries and heather with some leather and balsamic undertones. It’s full-bodied with a velvety and lightly dusty palate. Juicy fruit and pretty orange peel to the berry character. Hints of cedar and meat at the end. Subtle and complex.” (December 2020)

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Montosoli lies above the morning fog line, allowing for greater exposure to the morning sun, and was the first single vineyard designated wine in Montalcino’s history with its first vintage in 1975. The 2016 takes all the components of the estate Brunello and is amplified with concentrated raspberry coulis, sage, and rose petal. Once again, there is tremendous consistency from the nose to the palate, though here the structure is compact and will need additional time for those who shy away from grippy, building tannins. Drink over the next 20 years or more. Drink 2024-2042."

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Rose, forest berry, underbrush and new leather are some of the aromas you’ll find on this full-bodied red. From one of Montalcino’s greatest vineyard sites, the firmly structured, elegant palate is also delicious, boasting ripe black cherry, raspberry compote, tobacco and licorice set against taut, fine-grained tannins. It’s well balanced, with bright acidity. Drink 2024–2036."

96+ Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"The Altesino 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli (with 15,000 bottles produced) is a true beauty. The wine reveals dark fruit intensity that comes forth as blackberry, plum and summer cherry. In no time, those aromas shift to the savory side of the spectrum with smoke, tar and tobacco. The results are generous and layered, offering the best of what the celebrated Montosoli cru can offer, especially in an ironic vintage such as this." - Monica Larner (November 2020)

96 Points - Vinous:
"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli pulls you close to the glass with a captivating display of candied citrus rinds, incense and dried roses giving way to rich cherry sauce and a hint of brown spice. It’s deeply textural yet youthfully dense, as it first cools the palate with lavender and ripe dark red fruits; yet beneath is a layer of grippy tannins that close the wine down. Notes of licorice, black tea and purple florals linger on the youthfully chewy finale. The 2016 is just a baby today, and it will need a number of years to come fully into focus - but it will be worth the wait." - Eric Guido (11/20)

$149.97 btl (1-2)
$144.97 btl (3+ )


More Highly-Recommended 2016 Brunellos Below
Click on their images to read on
2016 Fossacolle Brunello di Montalcino
  • 37 bottles left
  • Lowest price in CA
  • Always a leading example of "perfect hybrid of traditional + modern" style
95 Points - Robert Parker's WA:
"...charming level of intensity and purity. This wine really jumped out at me thanks to the chiseled and sharp quality of fruit and the lingering acidity and power one receives on the finish / Everything just works here, and the wine delivers great harmony between its fruit, spice, acidity and structure."

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
94 Points - James Suckling

15% ABV
$59.97-57.97 btl Order link

2016 Cortonesi 'La Mannella' Brunello di Montalcino
  • 13 bottles left
  • Lowest price in CA
  • Neighbor of Cults: Sasseti, Valdicava, Il Marroneto & More
99+ Points - Luca Gardini:
"Good job carried out both in vineyard and wine cellar for this Brunello that stands out for it’s extraordinary cleanliness. On the nose, cherries and small dark fruits, a balsamic trace of eucalyptus at the end."

95 Points - James Suckling
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
94 Points - Robert Parker's WA

14.3% ABV
$69.99-64.99 Order link

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