Tenuta Il Poggione is one of the undisputed Brunello stars of Tuscany’s Montalcino.
With a history that dates back to the 19th century, Il Poggione’s reputation has been cemented as one of the most important growers of this famous area. This substantial 120 hectare estate in Sant’Angelo in Colle, on Montalcino’s southeasterly slopes, combines the best traditional methods with the finest modern techniques within a gleaming state of the art winery, a project that was completed in 2004.
Montalcino’s trend towards foreign investment and ownership over the last decade has been rejected by Il Poggione and to this day the estate is one of the few family run operations to remain in the hands of the original descendants.
The quality level here is extraordinarily high. But one of the things we love most about Il Poggione is that in the face of huge scores and critical acclaim from the leading critics, the price has always remained very sane, rarely exceeding £35 inc VAT per bottle.
Recently we sampled the latest 2012 Brunello di Montalcino release at the winery and were blown away by a wine of warmth and structure exuding fine dark plum, cherry, violet and spice flavours yet balanced with the most exquisite freshness on the palate.
Awarded an impressive 95+pts from Monica Larner of robertparker.com, at £139 IB per 6 bottle case it simply represents irresistible value when compared to many of its peers.
Enjoy this beauty in 3-5 year’s time.
*Available for delivery 1st week of November
2012 Brunello di Montalcino Il Poggione
£139.00 IB per 6 bottles | (£30.40 inc VAT per bottle)
Il Poggione is a Brunello superstar and a vintage like this reveals every reason why that affirmation is true. From the second the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino pours into the glass, you know you are in for something special. The wine is darkly saturated and rich in appearance. Absent are those slightly amber or browning hues you often get with Sangiovese in a hot vintage. Nor does the wine show flat or tired characteristics. Instead, the quality of fruit is vibrant and rich. This is a healthy, generous and exuberant Brunello with dark density and succulent fruit flavors that are followed by integrated spice and tobacco. The balance is impressive and one thing you get here is fresh acidity. This is not to be underestimated, because the acidity quota in the 2012 vintage across the appellation is not as high or evident as usual. This is one of the year’s best Brunellos.
95+pts Monica Larner (robertparker.com)
Good full red. Medicinal red cherry, raspberry, sweet spices and mint on the fresh, precise nose. Bright and sweet, with a penetrating, austere quality to its flavors of red fruits, minerals and medicinal herbs. Harmonious acidity nicely frames the pure, long, youthfully tight finish. Lovely young Brunello that will repay cellaring.
93+pts Ian d’Agata (Antonio Galloni)
Producing Brunello di Montalcino
• Brunello di Montalcino can only be produced from Sangiovese grapes grown in the Montalcino township.
• A Brunello can only be released onto the market after 5 years after the harvest. During this time it must have been aged for a minimum of 2 years in wood and 4 months in bottle.
• A Brunello Riserva can be released in the January that follows 6 years after the harvest.
• To qualify as a Brunello di Montalcino it must only be bottled in a Bordelais shaped bottle and have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5%.
• 2012 is the current release
