The product image is for illustrative purposes only and may not exactly reflect the actual characteristics of the wine. Altesino SpA Società Agricola Brunello di Montalcino 2016 75clDOCG | Brunello di Montalcino | Tuscany | ItalySold outSize 75 clAll vintages 2016 Critics scores 95 Wine SpectatorBalsamic aromas of wild thyme, juniper, eucalyptus and pine lead off, with cherry and plum fruit at the core. There’s latent energy that’s restrained for now by the grip of tannins, yet this is lithe and nimble despite the solid structure. Best from 2024 through 2045.94 VinousRemarkably pretty and poised yet packed full of potential, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino lifts with grace and elegance, showing dusty roses, wild strawberry, white smoke and hints of wet stone. It’s silky and refined, with cooling acids and minerals giving way to savory red berries and spice. Energy remains high, even as fine tannins create a classically dry and youthful expression, tapering off to violet florals, mocha and a hint of licorice that seems to linger for well over a minute. This is deceptively drinkable today, yet it has all of the necessary components to gain in weight and complexity over a decade or more of cellaring. Producer Altesino SpA Società AgricolaEncompassing over 80 hectares, the Altesino estate lies along the eastern hills of Montalcino in central Italy. The classy 14th century Palazzo Altesi houses the Altesino winery. The estate has always been a forerunner in the region, as innovators, Altesino saw to the introduction of the Cru classification which represents wines made from a single high-quality vineyard. The estate also encouraged the concept of futures in Brunello, a French practice in which wines are purchased before they are bottled. Altesino was also one of the first Italian producers to use French barriques for aging in 1979, and one of the first to produce Grappa di Brunello in 1977.