Altesino Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2019, Tuscany, Italy

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. Altesino makes this Rosso di Montalcino entirely from select Sangiovese Grosso grapes sourced from the younger vines in the Altesino, Pianezzine, Macina, and Castelnuovo dell’Abate vineyards. After the fermentation process in stainless steel, the wine ages in large barrels of varied maturity for six to eight months followed by three months in bottle. The final wine is a perfect and accessible introduction to the terroir of Montalcino. Tasting notes: Brilliant ruby-red color, this classic Rosso offers sumptuous aromas of ripened blackberries and dark cherries. On the palate, the wine is generously well-rounded and rich with fruit-forward notes complimented by hints of leather and mesquite.