Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Il Poggione 2019

The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pulls the taster close to the glass with its dark and earthy blend of crushed ashen stones, giving way to rosemary, cedar, exotic spice and a core of raspberry preserves. Enveloping and serene, this flows across the palate like pure silk, steadily building in tension as tart wild berries and orange hints give way to a sweet herbal thrust. The 2019 finishes with tremendous length and is classically structured, as crunchy tannins resonate and violet inner florals slowly fade over a tactile coating of minerality. Il Poggione has captured the radiance of the vintage, yet this is just a baby today. 2026-2040

The 2019 is a vintage of balance, somewhere between 2016, 2013 and 2010. Sant'Angelo in Colle, which suffers in warmer vintages, performed very well and Il Poggione is a great example of the harmony of the area's wines in this vintage. Fruity at first sniff, it becomes more restrained later, with black cherry, violet, leather, graphite vibrancy and its typical nutty finish. The chalky tannins are extracted but velvety, underlined by an almost zesty acidity.

Saturated dark red in color and coming from 25- to 60-year-old vines, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is a brooding and serious wine on the nose and needs a little air on opening at this youthful stage, with aromas of cigar box, vanilla, smoky cedar, blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, and charred rosemary. Opulent and rich, this full-bodied Brunello reveals rich, velvet tannins, warming richness, and spice, and its oak-noted frame enhances the richness. It’s deserving of several years of proper cellaring to harmonize and is a lovely, warming wine to enjoy over the coming 15- 20 years. It was raised for 3 years in large French oak barrels.

Dark, youthful ruby. Very closed and brooding with only hints of perfumed raspberry, tea leaves and oak. Generous and composed at the same time on the palate. A layer of suave cherry and raspberry fruit lined with quite powerful tannins that demand more time. Carries its 15% with ease. Closes up on the finish and in need of more time. 2026 - 2038