Altesino : Riserva 2012

This delivers intense balsamic notes of juniper, wild rosemary and sage, along with rose, cherry and berry aromas and flavors. Elegant and saturated with flavor, supported by a vibrant structure. Ends with energy and refined tannins. Best from 2022 through 2040. 750 cases made, 416 cases imported.

From their 40th harvest, Altesino's Riserva is a selection of grapes from their holdings in Macina, Pianezzine and Castelnuovo dell'Abate, aged exclusively in Slavonian oak casks. This is a much deeper, darker expression compared to the 2013 releases, with flavours of black tea, sweet tobacco and plum, yet this is offset by a lift of pepper and tangy acidity. The mouthcoating tannins need some time to relax their grip. 6,000 bottles produced.

Plenty of dark cherry essence, blackberry pie, a touch of plum liqueur, baking spices, charcuterie, resin and dried herbs. The palate echoes the richness of the nose with no shortage of dried-fruit flavors, while also embracing tightly wound tannins and a streak of refreshing acidity. Drink in 2020.

Intense, flinty ruby. Very appealing, intense nose with ripe, fleshy berry fruit, blackberry and mulberry, coupled with subtle savoury notes. Round and supple on entry and through the palate, opens with lots of ripe fruit, plum and pickled cherry, powerful, dense tannins coated in fine texture, very successful!

Forest floor, pipe tobacco, leather and eucalyptus aromas abound on this full-bodied red. The taut firmly structured palate offers dried black cherry, raspberry preserve, licorice and dried herb set against tightly packed fine-grained tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol on the close. Drink from 2022.

Sporting a medium-dark color, the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the most robust and powerful wine among these new releases from Altesino. More than its Riserva status (which requires an extra year of aging compared to base Brunello), that richness is a result of the dry and hot 2012 growing season. You really feel the tightness, darkness, and the alcohol of the fruit here. By the way, the alcohol is 15%, which is indeed high for Sangiovese. There’s a note of cherry sweetness on the close. Thankfully, there’s also enough natural acidity to bring the wine back to center and balance. But the overall complexity is diminished in favor of muscle and brawn.