Altesino - Brunello di Montalcino 2018 750ml

Ruby-red with a garnet rim, this wine's bouquet displays ample aromas of violet, wild berries, tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla. On the palate, Altesino Brunello is rich, full-bodied, and velvety.

Rich and fruity, evoking plum, cherry, iron, tobacco and eucalyptus flavors. This has a bit more flesh to offset the dusty tannins, with a lingering, fresh finish. Best from 2025 through 2042.  — Bruce Sanderson

The Altesino 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is an especially graceful wine with tart fruit, clean mineral lines and a mid-weight approach. Like other wines from this vintage, the 2018s are more accessible than, say, the 2016s or the 2013s. You can drink the wine soon or choose to cellar it a bit longer. The young tannins are nearly fully approachable, and the wine ends with dryness and ample freshness.  Drinking 2024 - 2038 — Monica Larner

With vineyards throughout Montalcino, Altesino started harvest at the beginning of September with its southernmost holdings. After rain mid-month, the estate continued with plots in the north. The resulting wine is light yet bright in colour with an immediately attractive nose of raspberry and tarragon. Linear and direct, the chiselled palate offers mineral intrigue with an expansive juiciness. Dainty tannins are almost an afterthought, but acidity will carry this midweight, balanced charmer.  Drinking 2023 - 2031 — Michaela Morris

The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is a medium ruby hue, with aromas of licorice, dried red flowers, red cherry, and dusty earth. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins, it is approachable with its more delicate nature and fresh acidity. It has no harsh edges and offers notes of ripe raspberry, blood orange, and tea leaf. This is a lovely wine to drink now or over the next 10 to 12 years.  Drinking 2023 - 2035 — Jeb Dunnuck

A severe selection of grapes in vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel at 28 °C, and 13 days of maceration because the grape skins were relatively delicate. MLF in stainless steel, then 2.5 years in large Slavonian and Allier oak and at least 6 months in bottle.
Lustrous mid ruby but no more than that. A little subdued on the fruit and more savoury, even salty. With aeration, hints of dark fruit and just a touch of sweet liquorice surface. Suave polished palate, succulent and long with long powdery tannins. Good depth. Ready now.  — Walter Speller

This has fantastic intensity with concentrated hazelnut, chocolate and dark berry aromas alongside dried flower and dried orange undertones. Firm and medium- to full-bodied, with powerful yet integrated tannins. Excellent structural integrity. Try in 2024. — James Suckling

Wild strawberries, roses, lavender and hints of flowery underbrush form a vividly fruity yet earthy bouquet as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens in the glass. This is round, nearly juicy in character, with ripe red and black berries that cascade across a core of silty minerality. It leaves only a light coating of tannin while tapering off with a flourish of inner sweetness and floral tones, as nuances of licorice slowly fade. This may not be a classic Brunello from Altesino, but I can't argue with how incredibly delicious it is.  Drinking 2024 - 2030 — Eric Guido