Altesino : Montosoli 2019

From a beautiful site that must be seen to be believed, the Altesino 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli is redolent with dark fruit, blackcurrant and crushed slate. The mineral element of Montosoli and its schistic galestro-rich soils comes through beautifully in this vintage to add a linear sense of immediacy and verticality to the bouquet. The mouthfeel is especially elegant, and the wine's acidity is delivered expertly to showcase freshness but more importantly to highlight the quality of the fruit. The effect is very tonic and bright, and you get hints of baked brioche or oven-baked Italian focaccia bread, thanks to careful aging in Slavonian oak. This is a 12,000-bottle release.

This enticing wine is long, complex and harmonious, exuding macerated cherry, plum, lavender and spice flavors. The ripe fruit is offset by woodsy underbrush notes, all backed by a vibrant structure. Better than previously reviewed. Best from 2026 through 2043. 1,000 cases made, 350 cases imported.

Elisabetta Gnudi took over the Altesino estate in 1992 and has continued with the Montosoli bottling, which has been produced since 1975. The 2019, harvested at the very end of September, is introverted at first, but the nose eventually hints at porcini, liquorice root and bark. Sleek cherry and raspberry provide the backdrop on the palate, while that appealing earthy tone pervades. Racy, with smooth, vertical tannins clinging in all the right places, it shows cleverly balanced structure and stuffing.

Perfumed and beautiful, with raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors. Purity like a mountain stream. Medium to full body with ultra-refined tannins that are so polished and beautiful. Goes on for minutes. Lovely and real. Drinkable but better in two or three years.

An enticing blend of steeped plums, blood orange, sage and sweet smoke makes the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli a total pleasure on the nose. Elegant and soothing, it flows across the palate with a silken wave of ripe red fruits and spices as saline minerals slowly saturate under an air of violet inner florals. The 2019 is seamless and harmonious, leaving a coating of edgy tannins to contend with a bump of refreshing acidity as suggestions of tart cranberry and a bitter tinge of clove slowly taper off. This is Montosoli terroir at its very best, and even at this early stage, it's impossible to resist pouring another glass.

Bright, pure ruby red. Very fragrant nose of wild strawberries, blackberry candy, vanilla pod, with light spice, some mint and red peach in the background. On the palate, a great fruit core, stone fruit, fine fruitiness and a lovely creaminess. Unfolds in several layers, clear and elegant with finesse into the long finish.

The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli displays a rich red color and opens to a gorgeous perfume of cherry liqueur, polished leather, star anise, gravelly earth, and pressed flowers. Beautifully detailed, the palate has a medium to a full-bodied frame, with plush tannins, a perfectly harmonious structure, outstanding purity of concentrated ripe fruit, and a long finish. Lovers of this estate are not going to want to miss out on this one. Drink 2025-2045.

There is a purity to the aromas and flavors that come out of the fruit on Montosoli: perfectly ripe raspberries, the coppery, snappy skin of red plums, the leaden flint of pencil shavings, the sweet-sour syrup of balsamic vinegar, mild roasted hazelnut-coffee. The nose and palate harmonize all with ease and grace.