# Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (2021)

- **Producer:** Altesino Srl Soc Agr
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €55
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** violet, strawberry, cherry, plum, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco

## About this wine

Founded in 1970 around the 15th-century Palazzo Altesi in northern Montalcino, Azienda Agricola Altesino is one of the region's pioneering estates. Owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini and led by CEO Alessandra Angelini, the estate covers diverse vineyard sites across Montalcino, capturing varied microclimates and elevations. Altesino has consistently led innovation in the appellation while respecting tradition.

## Interesting facts

- Altesino was the first winery in Montalcino to introduce the single-vineyard 'Cru' concept with Montosoli in 1975.
- In 1979, Altesino pioneered the use of French oak barriques for Tuscan IGT winemaking.
- The estate produced the first estate-distilled Grappa di Fattoria in 1977 and pioneered Brunello futures.

## Food pairing

The high tannins and vibrant acidity of Sangiovese require rich, fatty proteins and savory umami to soften the astringency and harmonize with the wine's intense structure and complexity.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested from estate vineyards including Altesino, Macina, Castelnuovo dell'Abate, and Pianezzine. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled vats with cold maceration followed by 7-10 days of primary skin fermentation and full malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for a minimum of two years in large 5,000 to 10,000-liter Slavonian oak casks, followed by four to six months of bottle maturation prior to release.