2010 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG is sold out.

Sign up to receive notifications when wines from this producer become available

Wine Bottle
  • 97 pts James Suckling
    97 pts JS
  • 96 pts Wine Spectator
    96 pts WS
  • Curated by unrivaled experts
  • Choose your delivery date
  • Temperature controlled shipping options
  • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

2010 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 750 ml

Sold Out

Sign up to receive notifications when wines from this producer become available.
  • Curated by unrivaled experts
  • Choose your delivery date
  • Temperature controlled shipping options
  • Get credited back if a wine fails to impress

2010 Brunello Riservas: Dancing a Jig on Broadway

On a blustery February day, we were first in line at Gotham Hall for the unveiling of the Brunelli di Montalcino from 2010, the highest-rated vintage in history. Unlike others who seemed to have come only for the shop talk, we were fully prepared, having visited dozens of estates over the previous two years and tasting the most deeply concentrated and sumptuous wines in memory.

By the time we walked out onto Broadway, we were dancing a jig, having secured hundreds of cases from the top names of the appellation, including Costanti, Fuligni, Altesino, Poggio al Sole, and Lisini. But as to the smaller-production and even more extraordinary 2010 Riservas, all of which were 15-24 months from release, we came up empty.

Why? Proprietors understood the magnitude of the demand as well as the limited supply (2010, while exceptional qualitatively, was quite small quantitatively). Accordingly, they chose not to quote prices at Gotham Hall, preferring to test the market.

That strategy proved prescient when the Wine Spectator reviews hit the web.

A month ago, we offered our membership a tiny salvo of the 2010 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, the Spectator’s highest-rated wine of the vintage. This morning, we are offering an even smaller number of cases of the magnificent 2010 Altesino Riserva, Wine Spectator’s #3 wine of the vintage.

To say the least, this is a staggering effort from Altesino. Vivid dark-ruby. Big, bold, and bombastic aromatically, with complex aromas of crushed red fruits, cherry, tobacco, smoke, and Tuscan herbs. Rich and powerfully structured on that attack, chewy in texture, filled with a complex mineral mix of black raspberry and black cherry, violets, licorice, and blood orange, finishing with sturdy (and dusty) Tuscan tannins. Drink 2020-2035.

Total production of 500 cases, just 25% of which made it stateside. Released at $130. $99 today for a fortunate few. NINETY bottles are up for grabs. Shipping included on 3.