Critic Score:

• 91 – Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Representing a monumental triumph for the northern hills of Montalcino, this bottle hails from a legendary 1997 Tuscan growing season that is widely celebrated for its warm, steady spring, scorching summer, and ideal mid-September harvest conditions. These textbook variables yielded exceptionally ripe, concentrated fruit with immense structural power.

Pouring an deep, mature brick-red with a gracefully ambered rim, this single-varietal Sangiovese unleashes an expansive, opulent bouquet of dark plum, black licorice, leather, and dried botanicals.

The palate presents a medium-to-full body wrapped in a dense, rich texture where the once-muscular tannins have softened into a completely integrated, velvety coat. Supported by a perfectly framed, historic acidity, the wine glides into a lingering, expansive finish that resonates with tertiary earthiness and spice.

Serving as the primary critical reference, the definitive review from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate celebrates its remarkable presence, observing that "Altesino's medium to full-bodied 1997 Brunello di Montalcino boasts a dense" concentration of fruit and structural finesse.