'The 2015 is pure class and built for the cellar.'
- Eric Guido, vinous.com, April 2020
Despite Il Poggione being a historical estate, it brings a progressive approach to a traditional style. Everything is run along sustainable lines. There is solar power, a diverse range of crops, forest and livestock on the estate, limited use of chemicals and most of the work done by hand: all the ingredients we look for when hunting out little estates for the Uncorked range. But there is no denying that Il Poggione is one of the largest estates in Montalcino, covering 530 hectares, with over 125 of those being under vine. Quite how they manage to keep quality so high and at such a reasonable price on an estate this size is something I hope to investigate when we finally get out of lockdown and start visiting vineyards again!
Il Poggione is one of the founding estates of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium and has been selling wine since the early 1900s. The estate is still owned by the family, with Leopoldo and Livia Franceschi in charge these days. The day to day running is under the control of Fabrizio Bindocci, who has worked there since 1976 and is the current president of the Consortium.
Terroir of course plays its part. The estate is just a few miles from Uncorked favourite Lisini in Sant'Angelo, in the southern part of Montalcino. The vineyards benefit from their proximity to Mount Amiata and range between 150m and 450m above sea level. The range of altitudes and age of the vineyards makes harvest easy and allows a good balance between ripeness and structure. Once picked, the grapes are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel using the submerged-cap method more common in Barolo giving a very elegant, age-worthy expression of Brunello. /EE
'Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers up a dark, earthy, almost animal-like expression, showing black soil and undergrowth, giving way to crushed black cherry, dusty spice, and dried florals which lift the experience. On the palate, soft, fleshy textures usher in fresh cherry and strawberry, as brisk acids add energy, with savory herbs and minerals saturating, as the 2015 Il Poggione’s fruit nearly masks its structural core. The finish is long yet fresh, with classic, fine tannins, dried red fruits and pretty inner floral tones lingering throughout this perfectly balanced expression. The 2015 is pure class and built for the cellar. Drink 2024-2044.' - 97 points, Eric Guido, vinous.com, April 2020
Offered subject to confirmation; for shipment Spring 2021
