Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2015

WS 97 / AG 95 pts

WS : Laced with ripe cherry, strawberry, floral, spice, iron and leather flavours, this red is complex and charming, yet with serious tannins that ply the structure and lift the long finish. The fine balance should facilitate longevity. — BS

AG: With its mesmerizing and utterly classic bouquet, the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva lifts from the glass, mixing crushed black cherry, plum and leathery aromas with notes of sage, lavender and violets. The textures are silky-smooth, enveloping the palate in vibrant red and hints of blue fruit, as salty minerals, spice and rosy florals build toward the close. Its tannins are firm, yet there’s plenty of primary intensity to balance, along with cooling herbal tones that add refreshing lift. One of the more successful Riservas of the vintage, the 2015 is produced from a selection made throughout Altesino’s vineyards. It’s matured in a mix of 3,000 to 10,000-liter Slavonian oak barrels for two years prior to bottling.