Castellare Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale (375ML) 2009

"Good bright red. Complex, knockout nose offers red cherry, redcurrant, licorice, cinnamon and camphor. An essence of sangiovese in the mouth, with suave, penetratingly pure red cherry, red berry and mineral flavors conveying an impression of energy and precision. Very intensely flavored and seamless wine with sneaky concentration and wonderful balance. I suspect this will develop more density and flesh with another year of bottle age. Finishes with firm, high-quality tannins, harmionious acidity, piercing minerality, and lovely lingering perfume. This may well be the best young Il Poggiale ever. It's a wine of mindblowing purity and precision, magically combining perfume, refinement and purity of flavor. "

95 Points

International Wine Cellar

"The single-vineyard 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale is huge. Black fruit, smoke and licorice are some of the notes that burst from the glass in this extroverted wine. The Poggiale is a bit juicier and richer than the straight Riserva, but the two wines are as differentiated as they often are. Still, it is impossible not to admire the sheer balance and harmony of what is in the glass. The Poggiale is 90% Sangioveto, 5% Caniaolo and 5% Ciliegiolo, aged in French oak barrels, 10% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. "

94 Points

The Wine Advocate