Altesino Rosso di Altesino

Altesino Rosso di Altesino is an unoaked Tuscan red blend from Montalcino, bottled at 13.0% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 88 points by Wine Enthusiast critic Kerin O'Keefe, this Sangiovese-dominant wine was originally conceived in 1989 as a daily-drinking red — an innovation at the estate that other Montalcino producers would later replicate.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.0%  |  Origin: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy  |  Toscana IGT  |  Producer: Altesino

Production & Heritage

Altesino is one of Montalcino's benchmark estates, now owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, with winemaking guided by Simone Giunti and Alessandro Ciacci. The Rosso di Altesino blends 80% Sangiovese with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, all fermented in stainless steel and matured for six to eight months without any oak contact before bottling. That deliberate absence of wood distinguishes this bottling from the estate's more structured Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello, preserving primary fruit character and making it ready to drink on release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe red and blue berries, followed by forest fruits and touches of violets. Deeper sniffs reveal minerals, black olive, and a stony, earthy undertone.

Taste: The entry is smooth and juicy, with ripe plum and cherry fruit dominating the front palate. At mid-palate the Cabernet Sauvignon makes itself known through appealing herbal spice, while excellent body and balanced structure carry everything through to the peak without heaviness.

Finish: The finish is round and soft, with lingering hints of spice and dried herbs. Medium in length, it leaves a clean, fruit-driven impression that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Rosso di Altesino

This wine is built for straightforward enjoyment — pour it at cellar temperature (60–65°F) and drink it without ceremony. A slight chill enhances the fruit vibrancy on warmer evenings. Its supple body and herbal spice also make it a strong cocktail and mixed-drink candidate: try it in a Kalimotxo for a casual, refreshing summer serve; use it in a classic Sangria where the cherry and plum fruit blend naturally with citrus and stone fruit; or build a New York Sour by floating it over a whiskey sour for a visually striking, fruit-forward layer.

Best For

• Weeknight pasta dinners that deserve a step above table wine
• Introducing Sangiovese-curious drinkers to Montalcino without Brunello's price or tannin
• Casual dinner parties where approachability matters more than cellar pedigree
• Building a mixed case of Tuscan reds across multiple price tiers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rosso di Altesino taste like? Rosso di Altesino delivers ripe cherry and plum fruit with herbal spice from its Cabernet Sauvignon component, supported by a smooth, medium-bodied palate and a soft, round finish. The absence of oak keeps the fruit pure and forward.

How does Rosso di Altesino compare to Altesino's Rosso di Montalcino? The Rosso di Montalcino is a 100% Sangiovese wine classified under the Rosso di Montalcino DOC and typically sees some oak aging, giving it more structure and tannin. The Rosso di Altesino, labeled as Toscana IGT, blends in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and skips oak entirely, resulting in a softer, more immediately drinkable style.

Is Rosso di Altesino good for everyday drinking? Yes — Altesino specifically designed this wine in 1989 as a daily-consumption red, and its unoaked, fruit-forward profile and moderate 13.0% ABV are calibrated for casual, uncomplicated enjoyment.

Where is Rosso di Altesino made? Rosso di Altesino is produced at the Altesino estate in the Montalcino zone of Tuscany, Italy. It is classified as a Toscana IGT, reflecting its multi-varietal blend that falls outside Montalcino's Sangiovese-only DOC regulations.

What foods pair well with Rosso di Altesino? Margherita pizza or tomato-sauced pasta, where the wine's acidity mirrors the sauce; grilled Italian sausages, which echo the herbal spice notes; roasted chicken with rosemary for a clean, complementary match; aged pecorino cheese, whose salt lifts the fruit; and bruschetta with olive tapenade, playing off the wine's subtle black olive character.

What sizes does Rosso di Altesino come in? Rosso di Altesino is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Rosso di Altesino worth the price? Rosso di Altesino positions as an entry-level wine within the Altesino range and the broader Montalcino category, delivering estate-grown Sangiovese quality at a fraction of what the estate's Brunello commands — strong value for a daily Tuscan red from a respected producer.

Why Rosso di Altesino?

When Altesino introduced this wine in 1989, the idea of a premium Montalcino estate bottling an unoaked, everyday red was genuinely novel — other producers followed suit only afterward. That pioneering intent still shapes the wine: it exists to deliver honest Montalcino fruit without oak influence, extended aging, or inflated ambition. The 88-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirms it punches above its weight class. For anyone who respects what Sangiovese tastes like when nothing gets in its way, Rosso di Altesino remains one of the clearest expressions available from the region.