95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Opening to earthy tones of brimstone and petrichor, the Altesino 2020 Brunello di Montalcino shows the character of a house style that is easily recognized. This elegant wine offers a polished and smooth mouthfeel with finely tuned tannins. The oak is also expertly managed to show some light spice that is deeply integrated into a silky mouthfeel. Of the village Brunellos I tasted from 2020, this one offers excellent quality and will prove easily to locate thanks to its ample release of 110,000 bottles.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is a youthful red color and is expressive in the glass with notes of ripe strawberries, grenadine, crushed roses, sweet herbs, and licorice candies. Medium-framed, it has refreshing ripe acidity, fine, well-defined tannins, and a clean, even finish with fantastic, elegant length. Offering both refined complexity and true drinking pleasure, with nothing heavy or weighted, it's fabulous all around, with notes of stone fruit on the finish. A highly appealing Brunello with a lot to enjoy over the coming 15 years, I would be thrilled to have bottles in my cellar to check in on regularly.

95pts James Suckling

Very pretty and floral with raspberries and black cherries on the nose, as well as violet undertones. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins, though integrated and polished. Long, intense finish. Extremely well done for the vintage. Drink after 2026, but already solid.

93pts Wine Spectator

This is supple and juicy, bursting with cherry, strawberry, mineral and wild herb flavors. Vibrant and backed by dense, refined tannins that leave a firm grip on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2043. 9,200 cases made, 3,100 cases imported.

92pts Vinous

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino entices the taster with a gorgeous bouquet of fresh strawberries and plums accentuated by sweet herbs and hints of exotic spice. It's soft, round and quite lifted in feel, with vividly pure red berry fruits underscored by a core of brisk acidity. Energy remains high throughout, leaving a tinge of steely minerality and sweet tannins that frame the experience nicely.

92pts Decanter

With vineyards in virtually every quadrant of Montalcino, Altesino can shape the blend according to the vintage. As some of their northern plots struggled in 2020’s heat, the backbone for this comes from vineyards in the south, and there is also a dollop from young plantings on the hill of Montosoli. An immediately engaging nose proposes preserved red cherry, plum, cinnamon and carob. Evocative nuances of Mediterranean woodlands weave throughout. There is a sunny, sumptuous ripeness to the palate, but it remains well-behaved as sandy textured tannins firm up the edges.

Winemaker Notes

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.

Winery Notes

Near the end of 2002, Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, owner of nearby Tenuta Caparzo, purchased the Altesino winery. Today's winemaking team, led by Simone Giunti and Alessandro Ciacci, is firmly committed to maintaining Altesino’s hard-earned reputation as a Montalcino institution and a global leader in innovative winemaking. Amid the eastern hills of Montalcino near Siena in central Tuscany, stands the magnificently elegant 14th century-built Palazzo Altesi, home to the Altesino winery and a marvelous resort. The ancient coat of arms, carved in white Carrara marble, is still visible above the antique oak portal. The stunning Palazzo Altesi beautifully reflects Altesino’s charm and refinement. Though the worldwide reputation of Brunello has encouraged some conservatism among Montalcino estates, Altesino has always been a leader, unafraid of innovation. The estate pioneered the technique of aging its IGT wines in small French oak barrels, limiting the time spent in oak to enhance each wine’s personality. The resulting wines were a groundbreaking improvement over those produced by traditional methods. No longer overwhelmed by wood, they were able to display the unique characteristics of the fruit, with softened tannins and perfect balance. Not content to rest on its laurels, Altesino became the first Montalcino estate to introduce the concept of cru wines, made with a special selection of grapes from a single vineyard. Its Montosoli Brunello, named after the prestigious vineyard, was the first of these wines and is still considered among the regions finest. Altesino also pioneered the concept of Brunello futures (wine purchased before its release) with its 1985 vintage. This commitment to innovation led to many modern wines in the estates portfolio, including Alte d’Altesi, Palazzo Altesi and Rosso di Altesino. Elegance, finesse, and a fruitier, richer style are the trademarks of Altesino’s wines and have earned the estate a position among the very top producers of Brunello. This achievement is even more impressive considering Brunello is perhaps the most recognized Italian appellation.