The 2017 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli, made from Sangiovese Grosso, hails from Tuscany's renowned Brunello di Montalcino region in Italy. This red wine, produced by Altesino, has drawn a range of favorable reviews from professional critics, highlighting its complexity and balance despite the challenging vintage.
Decanter awarded the wine a score of 92, noting its "bright, energetic and intriguing" nature with aromas of "scented violet and balsamic herbs." The review emphasizes the wine's powdery tannins and pomegranate notes on a "long, lingering finish." This vintage produced 15,000 bottles, with ideal drinking suggested between 2023 and 2028.
Vinous was particularly impressed, scoring the wine 94+, and described it as "spellbinding." Reviewer Eric Guido highlighted a "dazzling display" of aromatics, including freshly picked flowers, ripe strawberries, and cloves. The review praised the wine's balance, inner sweetness, and fine tannins, with additional notes of sour citrus and savory spice. Guido expects the wine to have a broad and pleasurable drinking window from 2024 to 2032.
James Suckling gave one of the highest scores at 97, calling the 2017 Montosoli "super clean" with black fruit and mineral notes. He noted its floral and herbal nuances, medium-to-full body, and very fine tannins, concluding that it is "one of the wines of the vintage" and best enjoyed from 2024.
Wine Spectator also rated the wine highly with a score of 95, describing it as a "concentrated red" saturated with flavors of black currant, blackberry, and blueberry. The review highlighted its superb balance and complexity, with a suggested drinking window from 2025 through 2045.
Wine Enthusiast's Kerin O'Keefe scored the wine 92, noting its "delicate aromas" of forest floor, ripe berry, eucalyptus, and coffee bean. The full-bodied palate showcased dried cherry, prune, and licorice, supported by firm, tightly knit tannins. O'Keefe recommended drinking it between 2023 and 2029.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoed high praise with a score of 95, calling it an "icon wine of Montalcino." Reviewer ML noted its dark concentration, creamy consistency, and steady stream of dark fruit flavors transitioning to spice, leather, and sweet tobacco. The wine's production is limited to 15,000 bottles.
Overall, the 2017 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli has received excellent reviews across the board, reflecting its complexity, balance, and promise for aging.