Altesino : Montosoli 2020

The Altesino 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli has a rich, syrupy side that underscores the brightness of the fruit in this vintage. That core of dark fruit is framed by mineral notes of black slate and crushed river stone. There is a lovely chalky minerality on the palate that ties into the firm tannic structure of this full-bodied wine. The effect is elegant and sharply delineated. Aged in Slavonian oak casks, 12,000 bottles were made.

An intense red, delivering black cherry, blackberry, violet and orange peel flavors aligned with a dense profile. Though there's so much packed in, this red is virtually seamless, building effortlessly to the long, saturated finish. Menthol and mineral elements emerge as this plays out on the long, salty aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2045. 1,000 cases made, 350 cases imported.

Altesino’s Montosoli bottling comes exclusively from the top of the hill, a steep, northwest-facing plot on schisty Galestro soil. While by no means austere, it is shrouded in dark tones. Brambly forest fruits, tobacco, nutmeg, truffles and balsamic herbs reveal themselves slowly. The palate is concentrated and vertical as firm, gravelly tannins take the driver’s seat with a satisfying bite, melding seamlessly into the long, savoury finish. An inner succulence is the ballast here.

A juicy and lightly austere young red with blackberry, cherry and bark character on both the nose and palate. It’s medium- to full-bodied with chewy tannins that soften at the end, but still make your mouth pucker. Give this two or three years to soften. Best after 2027.

Maturing lustrous mid ruby. Balsamic nose with subdued fruit and with savoury spice notes from oak and black pepper. Softly fragrant ripe fruit with a layer of sandy tannins. Lacks in vigour. (WS)

A deep red hue, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli is more saturated with aromas of fresh leather, baked cherries, Amarena, mossy earth, balsamic herbs, and graphite. Full-bodied and well-balanced, with a seamless texture, plush tannins, and a velvety feel, it retains good freshness and a lot of length. It's more approachable now, and while it might not be the longest-lived of these wines, it's going to have a wide drinking window over the next 10-15 years. I will say, while I prefer the freshness and the tension of the standard Brunello in this vintage, this has more polish and softer edges and is the more complete wine on paper.