Altesino’s Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a special, limited edition wine that is only made in spectacular vintages and in small quantities. It is 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes, hand harvested from the Altesino, Macina, Pianezzine and Castelnuovo dell’Abate vineyards in the Val d’Arbia DOC. First produced in 1975, the wine ages for at least four years in Slavonian oak before spending six additional months in bottle.

This Brunello has an opulent and full body, with an ample and complex bouquet of violets, wild strawberries, dark cherries, chocolate, spices, cedar and vanilla. The palate is quite seductive, confirming the nose, with layers of ripe fruit, a balanced acidity and plush mouth-coating tannins. Ageing potential is twenty to thirty years, so consider laying a case down in your cellar and forgetting about it, if you can. Try pairing with a roast leg of lamb with rosemary, aged Pecorino, or Bistecca alla Fiorentina.