2021 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli

Tasting Note

A vivid garnet with clarity that speaks to the north-facing Montosoli elevation. The nose combines power and precision in a way specific to this historic vineyard: dried violet, black cherry, and warm earth open first, followed by red plum, iron mineral, and a lifted graphite note that distinguishes Montosoli from more opulent south-facing Brunello sites. On the palate, the structure reflects the north-facing elevation advantage: tannins at T8 are firm but never rustic, acid at A8 is persistent and bright, and the full B8 body avoids the Mediterranean density that marks warmer sites in warmer vintages. Flavors of black cherry, dried herbs, iron mineral schist, and a long graphite finish define this single-vineyard expression.

About Altesino

Altesino holds a distinctive place in Brunello di Montalcino history as one of the first estates to produce a single-vineyard Brunello, launching the Montosoli bottling in the late 1970s at a time when the concept of cru Brunello was essentially unknown. The estate farms the Montosoli vineyard - a north-facing slope at 380-480 meters above sea level with galestro and alberese clay soils - using methods focused on preserving site expression: hand harvesting, native yeast fermentation, and a minimum of 36 months aging in large Slavonian oak casks before bottling. The Montosoli has earned recognition as one of the defining single-vineyard sites of the appellation, and Altesino has been its consistent champion and custodian for nearly five decades.

Food Pairings

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina

  The T8 tannin structure and iron-mineral finish of this north-facing Brunello are the complement to the char and marbling of a Florentine T-bone; the A8 acid provides the lift the preparation needs to avoid heaviness.

• Slow-roasted suckling pig with fennel

  The full B8 body and bright A8 acid handle the richness of slow-roasted porcetto without overwhelming the wine vertical lift; the fennel seed notes mirror the herb character that the Montosoli north face expresses in warm vintages.

• Aged Tuscan Pecorino with truffle honey

  The iron-mineral finish and graphite note of Montosoli pair with the sharp crystalline texture of aged sheep cheese; the truffle honey softens the firm T8 tannins while keeping the wine terroir character at the center.

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