Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018
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Robert
Parker - Vinous
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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.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Poggio di Sotto 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva was reticent when I tasted it, probably owing to a period of awkwardness for such a young sample. The immediate suggestion is to give this bottle more time because, tasted now, it was definitely poured before its prime. The bouquet starts off with austere aromas of oil painting or waxed antiques, but those blow off. After that, you get an exciting compilation of redcurrant, cherry skin, rose petal and floral potpourri. This wine is very sprightly on the palate with fresh berry crush, integrated acidity and fine, chalky tannins. Again, this wine needs more time in bottle.
Rating: 97+ -
Vinous
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is youthfully restrained, wafting up with a flowery blend of sweet herbs, crushed rocks and wild strawberries. It's soft-textured and round with a pretty inner sweetness up front and mineral-laden, wild berry fruits all propelled by juicy acidity. A core of grippy tannins lingers through the perfumed yet nuanced finale as traces of violet pastille taper off. The 2018 Riserva of Poggio di Sotto was matured in barrels the same as the Normale, just held back for an extra year. Moreover, the Riserva hails from a single vineyard primarily made up of marl-stone planted in 2001.
Range: 94-96
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The estate changed ownership in 2011 when the original founder Piero Palmucci sold to Claudio Tipa, owner of the famed Grattamacco estate in Bolgheri and Castello di ColleMassari. The wines of Poggio di Sotto have continued to enjoy a meticulous commitment to the long-standing tradition of excellence, giving them a soaring reputation which is among the finest few in Montalcino.
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.