WTN: Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

Short notes from an Altesino Brunello di Montalcino dinner last night.

Very impressive Rosso Toscana IGT 2010 - 80% Sangiovese, the rest Cabernet and Merlot. A lot of complexity in the nose - coffee, chocolate, earth, and leather. Soft but fleshy on the palate with a good deal of ripe black plum and black cherry plus all the stuff on the nose as well. Brunello di Montalcino 2010 a bit more restrained with red fruit dominating but you can see the vintage similarity. Should be really good when it comes into maturity. The Brunello di Montalcino 2007 has good depth to it but still a baby. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2006 could still use a bit of time but is already quite an attractive drink. The tannins are soft enough to make it approachable. Elegant, sweet cherry and raspberry plus espresso and cocoa. A great way to start the week!

[David M. Bueker]

Indeed a great start to the week. How have you been Jay? It's been a while. How's the whole crew out there?

Hi David. Things are good here. Still drinking regularly but I guess I just got tired of making tasting notes and felt sometimes taking a wine apart detracts from the actual enjoyment of just drinking it. I'll probably post a bit more but it will be like "I like this or I didn't like this" without too much analysis.

The rest of the crew are fine and still drinking but The Stockbroker, who organized most of the dinners etc., has been in Vancouver since the middle of the year and won't be back in Manila till the middle of next year so the epic tastings have pretty much died down.

Anyway, hopefully I'll get out of this funk and be more active in the forum.

Hi Jay, good to hear from you. Vancouvers gain having the Stockbroker there .