Winemaker Notes
Persistent and enticing, Altero stands out for its complexity and richness, as wellas its wonderful elegance and approachability. Altero (which means “self-confident” in Italian) was born in 1983 as a "simple" I.G.T. that was (and remains today) identical to Brunello, and conforming to all the requirements for Brunello EXCEPT the mandatory aging period in wood (at that time three and a half years). This aging process certainly contributes to Altero’s forward nose and enveloping mouth-feel.
Starting with the 1995 vintage, the aging period in wood required for Brunello was reduced to two years. Because from the very first vintage Altero had always conformed to these new requirements (and all the others), it automatically gained the status of Brunello di Montalcino. For these reasons Altero is referred to as the estate’s more "modern" Brunello.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The single-vineyard 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Altero boasts dark and saturated fruit with luscious cherry and blackberry aromas that have remained bright and balanced throughout the aging process (including two years in tonneaux). Those purple fruit tones are backed by light shadings of spice, leather, cola and balsam herb. This wine shows amazing depth and personality, and we can count on it to evolve gracefully over the next 10 years or more.
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Wine Spectator
This red is bright, with cherry, currant and Mediterranean scrub flavors accented by tar and tobacco. A beam of sweet ripe fruit is the focus, with the dense texture nicely integrated. The long finish is fresh and detailed, picking up graphite notes and a hint of blood orange. Best from 2021 through 2026
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Decanter
Situated in the south of the zone, at 450 metres above sea level, the vineyards look southwest towards the Maremma coast, which sends warm afternoon breezes. Altero represents the estate's more modern Brunello, aged in 500 litre French tonneaux.. Inviting flavours of mint, blossom, plum and leather are joined by subtle toast. The oak is quite integrated, and the tannins are refined and smooth, while a sappy finish adds character.
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James Suckling
Ripe and rich aromas of dried fruits and figs with an orange undertone. Full body, chewy tannins and a rich finish. More fruit-forward style for this vintage.
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Wine Enthusiast
Youthfully austere, this offers tart sour cherry, powdered sage, star anise and tobacco flavors along with flashes of French oak and coffee bean. Tightly knit close-grained tannins and firm acidity provide bracing support. Give it time to unwind and fully develop. Drink after 2023.
Nestled on the highest vineyard hill south of Montalcino, Poggio Antico spans 91 acres at an average altitude of 1,804 feet. The estate predominantly cultivates Sangiovese, with smaller plots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The unique calcareous and Galestro soils enhance the Sangiovese grapes, producing the complex and elegant Brunello.
Founded in 1976, Poggio is divided into four main areas, is fully certified organic, focusing on sustainable practices like green manure and permanent grassing to nurture soil health and biodiversity. Poggio Antico's vineyards, managed with meticulous care, have been divided into 15 Units of soil. These precise agricultural practices ensure each vine's optimal expression, with plot-by-plot winemaking and aging to preserve the unique characteristics of each soil unit and express the real identity.
The diversity of soils, different but always high altitudes (1,640–2,034 feet asl), different exposures, Sangiovese biotypes, separated cultivation, harvest, vinification, and aging, create a symphony that is carefully directed by a specific winemaking style where elegance, freshness, and identity of the terroir are the principles of the winery. Poggio Antico’s commitment to quality is evident in their selective harvesting and organic cultivation, aiming to create wines that truly embody the essence of the terroir.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
Famous for its bold, layered and long-lived red, Brunello di Montalcino, the town of Montalcino is about 70 miles south of Florence, and has a warmer and drier climate than that of its neighbor, Chianti. The Sangiovese grape is king here, as it is in Chianti, but Montalcino has its own clone called Brunello.
The Brunello vineyards of Montalcino blanket the rolling hills surrounding the village and fan out at various elevations, creating the potential for Brunello wines expressing different styles. From the valleys, where deeper deposits of clay are found, come wines typically bolder, more concentrated and rich in opulent black fruit. The hillside vineyards produce wines more concentrated in red fruits and floral aromas; these sites reach up to over 1,600 feet and have shallow soils of rocks and shale.
Brunello di Montalcino by law must be aged a minimum of four years, including two years in barrel before realease and once released, typically needs more time in bottle for its drinking potential to be fully reached. The good news is that Montalcino makes a “baby brother” version. The wines called Rosso di Montalcino are often made from younger vines, aged for about a year before release, offer extraordinary values and are ready to drink young.