Corkaged at Estela in New York City, there was an air of relief opening up this 1998 Altesino after our previous bottle - a 1999 Il Poggione Riserva - was mildly oxidised. This wine feels like it's on its way out, but definitely has a bit of life left in it. A leathery and cedar driven nose leads into a palette that consisted of smoke, raspberries, cassis and a lot of tertiary qualities - cedar, forest floor - that you want from a mature Brunello. Drink up and enjoy now.
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Previous notes were spot on. Mild acidity and almost Graves nose, this was an absolute pleasure. Just starting to decline well stored bottles will last another decade at least. Firm cedar sandkewood charred soy with an almost haunting sage note on the back end. Fans of aged Brunello should seek this out....bench mark wine!
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from half bottle - a bit sharp and alcoholic, with lots of fruit, stewed nose. Definitely with some age and showing maturity, a little toasty, cedar, smoke, potpourri, and sweetness.
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Might actually be more pleasurable than the 1998 Montosoli. Fully mature with an orange-tinted bricked color and leathery scents (and this was from the *cold* cellar). But it actually picks up more freshness in the glass - still mature-tasting, of course, but not in a stale way, and it's got an interesting gravelly element.
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10/4/2023 - ankitmehra wrote: 91 Points
Corkaged at Estela in New York City, there was an air of relief opening up this 1998 Altesino after our previous bottle - a 1999 Il Poggione Riserva - was mildly oxidised. This wine feels like it's on its way out, but definitely has a bit of life left in it. A leathery and cedar driven nose leads into a palette that consisted of smoke, raspberries, cassis and a lot of tertiary qualities - cedar, forest floor - that you want from a mature Brunello. Drink up and enjoy now.
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3/23/2019 - winesavant68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Previous notes were spot on. Mild acidity and almost Graves nose, this was an absolute pleasure. Just starting to decline well stored bottles will last another decade at least. Firm cedar sandkewood charred soy with an almost haunting sage note on the back end. Fans of aged Brunello should seek this out....bench mark wine!
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11/28/2018 - Peech wrote: 90 Points
from half bottle - a bit sharp and alcoholic, with lots of fruit, stewed nose. Definitely with some age and showing maturity, a little toasty, cedar, smoke, potpourri, and sweetness.
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11/26/2015 - Keith Levenberg wrote:
Might actually be more pleasurable than the 1998 Montosoli. Fully mature with an orange-tinted bricked color and leathery scents (and this was from the *cold* cellar). But it actually picks up more freshness in the glass - still mature-tasting, of course, but not in a stale way, and it's got an interesting gravelly element.
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7/23/2012 - Chitarra wrote:
still holding out and kept for 2 more nights in the fridge with nitrogen. for fans of mature sangiovese. soya sauce, sandalwood hints. drink now
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