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Greetings!
In 1972 Giulio Consonno, owner of Prenatal, a children's clothing company was driving from Milan to Rome and passing through Montalcino when he fell in love with the area. He quickly bought a number of vineyards and a hillside crowned with a villa. Claudio Basla, his second in command was put in charge of production and proved to be a natural. With help from oenologist Pietro Rivella, Altesino was born. To this day, Mr. Basla continues as general manager.
Following the death of Mr. Consonno in 2002, Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, owner of Caparzo, Borgo Scopeto and La Doga wineries purchased Altesino but retained Claudio as sole GM and winemaker.
In 1975 Altesino introduced the Cru designation for Brunello with "Montosoli", a single-vineyard wine considered amongst the best wines of Italy. Altesino was also the first winery to produce an IGT Rosso, which is now a standard for most wineries in the region.
Altesino's Brunellos are wines of balance, finesse, perfume and longevity. Organic farming, excellent sites and the refusal to use French oak barriques contributes to these special qualities they exhibit. "In my opinion, the greatest Brunello producer of all."
- James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 2002
For more on Altesino, click here. For a retail price list click this link. With best regards, Chris.
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Rosso di Toscana IGT 2010
12 bottles per case
$20.95 per bottle (excluding bottle deposit)
Fermented in stainless steel tanks
Matured for 6-8 months in stainless steel tanks and 3 months in mature barriques
Noteworthy: Altesino was the first producer in Montalcino to produce IGT Rosso wines 90 points Wine Spectator (Sept 2012) "A rich, round red, featuring currant, plum and spice aromas and flavours. Well-balanced, gaining harmony with air. Fine length. Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2018. 4,000 cases made."
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Brunello di Montalcino 2007
750ml/6 bottles per case
$64.95 per bottle (excluding bottle deposit)
375ml/12 bottles per case
$32.95 per half-bottle (excluding bottle deposit)
Fermented in stainless steel tanks
Matured in neutral Slavonian oak casks
Noteworthy: 92 points Wine Spectator (web 2012), 91 points International Wine Cellar (July 2012), 91 points James Suckling (January 2012)
92 points, Wine Advocate (April 2012) "The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is beautiful in this vintage. Layers of dark red cherries, flowers, licorice and tobacco caress the palate in this generous, expressive Brunello. The 2007 presents an intriguing combination of classic Sangiovese aromas and flavours with the generosity and radiance of the vintage. The 2007 Brunello was made from vineyards in several sub-zones in Montalcino and was aged in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022."
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Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2006
6 bottles per case
$105.95 per bottle (excluding bottle deposit) 6 cases in stock, more arriving late October
Fermented in stainless steel tanks
Matured in neutral Slavonian oak casks
Noteworthy: Sourced from the Montosoli vineyard.
95 points, Wine Spectator (July 2012) "A fine expression of place, this intense red exhibits wild underbrush, iron and raw meat notes complemented by cherry, raspberry and leather. There's a firm backbone of acidity and tannins, but this stays balanced, with a long aftertaste of mineral and spice. Best from 2014 through 2030."
95 points, International Wine Cellar (July 2012) "Good full, bright red. Very pure but subdued nose hints at raspberry, high-pitched spices and blood orange. Tactile, suave and deep, with ripe but firm raspberry and cherry fruit flavours complemented by saline minerality, leather and a strong floral quality that mounts inexorably on the back end. Tighter and higher-pitched than Altesino's two 2007 releases - no surprise in light of the different styles of these two vintages. Really resounds on the aromatic aftertaste. This wine showed even deeper red fruits and spices with extended time in the recorked bottle, combining almost Burgundian perfume with Brunello tannins and structure."
95 points, James Suckling (July 2012) "Complex aromas of dried mushrooms, flowers and dark fruits follow though to a full body with fine tannins and a chocolate, dried meat and dark fruit aftertaste. Wonderful depth of fruit and balance. Drink now."
94 points, Wine Advocate (April 2012) "The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (from Montosoli) is a rich, sumptuous wine bursting with sweet black cherries, incense, licorice and tobacco. The 2006 Riserva boasts fabulous depth to match a full-bodied personality that is highly appealing. With air, the Riserva is approachable today, but it has the depth to continue to evolve for many years. This is a fabulous showing from Altesino. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026."
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