2019 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 750 ml

Altesino is a Brunello icon—and one of the most popular wines in the history of Wine Access. And the 2019 vintage was an all-time great in Tuscany, with 5/5 stars from Decanter, 98 points from Wine Spectator, and praise from every corner of the wine world. Kerin O’Keefe, who wrote THE book on Brunello, said “I’ve never tasted so many drop-dead-gorgeous young Brunellos from a single vintage.”

“The 2019s from Altesino are some of the best new releases I can remember tasting at this address,” wrote Vinous, who called this wine “stunning with its depth, complexity and energy.”

In 2019, a rainy spring teed up the vines for the summer, which turned out hot and dry, but without any vine-stressing heat spikes. Compared to recent years past—when temps topped 104 degrees—July was relatively mild, with some mid-month showers (and a few in August) providing some relief. A warm September put the grapes on a glide path to harvest, and by the time the call came to pick, vintners were dancing the Tarantella.

Altesino is located in a 14th-century palazzo, but its history as a wine estate goes back just 50 years, making it a baby by Brunello di Montalcino standards. Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini acquired it in 2002, and since then, she and her winemaking team of Simone Giunti and Alessandro Ciacci have staked out a position at the apex of the region, offering a modern and innovative take on one of Italy’s most beloved denominaziones. 

Composed of grapes from their Altesino, Macina, Pianezzine, and Castelnuovo dell’Abate vineyards, their 2019 Brunello di Montalcino brings an elite level of quality, critical acclaim, and collectibility.