Winemaker Notes
Parallels to the red wines of Burgundy abound in discussions of Poggio di Sotto. The Sangiovese wines released from this special property do always favor elegance and restraint over opulence and power, yet they never lack depth. Normally a paler hue of ruby than other Brunello wines, Poggio di Sotto’s tameness of color belies concentrated aromas and flavors. The Brunello Riserva reflects the characteristics of its vintage, but with a degree of power and purity that is incomparable. A classic wine from one of the world’s great wine regions.
Equally at home with flavorful meats from the grill as with refined and layered dishes. Considered a "Vino da Meditazione," Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is also enjoyable on its own.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A savory, umami nose that feels taut and energetic from the first encounter, with damp earth, black olive, Mediterranean herbs, and cranberries. Light, bright, and crunchy on the palate, with fresh cherries and berries, lots of citrus and more herbs, but then a simmering, chocolatey depth. Soaring acid lifts up dense tannins—an absolute tightrope walk that can, as always, only be Poggio di Sotto.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The bright ruby red 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva takes time to open in the glass before revealing notes of wet stone, petrichor, ripe cherries, sappy earth, and fresh sage. Medium-bodied, it's fantastically balanced, with a richness of texture that's also never heavy. It offers ripe, well-defined tannins and a long, harmonious finish, with its darker mineral profile coming through. It's going to need time as well. Drink 2028-2050.
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James Suckling
Focused and perfumed, showing violet, dark-cherry, orange-peel and crushed-stone character. Medium-bodied, this has firm and refined tannins that caress the palate. It’s silky and very long, showing precision and finesse with structure. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2026 but will age for a very long time with confidence.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In the bottle with the black label, the Poggio Antico 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is visibly concentrated and shows an inky dark appearance. The bouquet is also quite complex with dried spice, cinnamon and clover backed by sweet fruit and blackberry. The quality of the mouthfeel is tightly knit and intense. Make sure you choose a food pairing that can stand up to a wine with greater fruit weight such as this. Meats and dishes with truffle could work.
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Wine Spectator
This red is mellowing, with a supple, almost gossamer texture framing its cherry, plum, earth and eucalyptus flavors. The chalky tannins build ever so slightly on the finish, where iron and tobacco accents linger. Shows richness, balance and freshness. Best from 2027 through 2045.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
Famous for its bold, layered and long-lived red, Brunello di Montalcino, the town of Montalcino is about 70 miles south of Florence, and has a warmer and drier climate than that of its neighbor, Chianti. The Sangiovese grape is king here, as it is in Chianti, but Montalcino has its own clone called Brunello.
The Brunello vineyards of Montalcino blanket the rolling hills surrounding the village and fan out at various elevations, creating the potential for Brunello wines expressing different styles. From the valleys, where deeper deposits of clay are found, come wines typically bolder, more concentrated and rich in opulent black fruit. The hillside vineyards produce wines more concentrated in red fruits and floral aromas; these sites reach up to over 1,600 feet and have shallow soils of rocks and shale.
Brunello di Montalcino by law must be aged a minimum of four years, including two years in barrel before realease and once released, typically needs more time in bottle for its drinking potential to be fully reached. The good news is that Montalcino makes a “baby brother” version. The wines called Rosso di Montalcino are often made from younger vines, aged for about a year before release, offer extraordinary values and are ready to drink young.