The attractive price and Brunello heritage have always made us refer to this wine as a “Baby Brunello” (and this baby’s got roots!) Altesino is a pioneering winery: the first to introduce the “Cru” concept with their “Montosoli” in 1975, the first to experiment with barriques in 1979, and the first to release Brunello futures in 1985.

The wine is predominantly Sangiovese, with a dash of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that add plush fruit and structure. Cold-soaked and fermented in stainless steel, then aged up to eight months in tank and three months in bottle.

It is notably sophisticated for what is ostensibly a table wine, with plenty of morello cherry fruit mingling with old leather. Perfect with roasted or grilled meat. Strikingly good value.