Which is drinking better now: 1997 Brunello

A friend has these 2 and wants to know which to open next weekend:

  • 1997 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino

1997 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino

TIA

I’d rather be drinkng '90 or earlier Brunellos. '97s are still quite young.

I haven’t had the 97 Uccelliera in a couple of years and I haven’t had the 97 Altesino (only the Montesoli), but in general I find 97 Brunello to be a giving vintage and I haven’t had any bad experiences. For most producers I am able to enjoy the wines pretty much throughout their lifecycle, deliciously juicy on release through full maturity. I feel like I’d be missing something if I waited 20 years to crack Brunellos, there’s a lot of good drinking before that age.

Dick, that’s not one of the options.

Josh, thanks. Sounds like he can’t go wrong with either one.

No guarantees Ken, but I think that’s a safe guess for the vast majority of 97 Brunelli…

Uccelliera for now. Altesino for the longer haul I think.

Thanks, Eric.