Sangiovese

wines

A beautiful cascade of blue and darker fruit precedes generous, enticing notes of saffron, dried orange rind, cumin, roasted thyme and nutmeg. Balanced and tightly framed on the medium-to full-bodied palate with mouthwatering fruit and crunchy acidity, coloring an ornately woven structure of silky tannins. Very long and velvety on the finish. Everything is where it should be. Drink from 2025.James Suckling | 97 JSOne of the first things I notice in the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Altero is the increased richness or concentration (especially compared to the estate's classic Brunello from the same vintage). That wine is slightly more streamlined and contoured compared to the Altero that wears a heavier mantle made with thicker fiber and texture. This impression is especially evident on the bouquet where you pick up a hint of extra softness or ripeness that comes thanks to this warm vintage. The bouquet offers sensations of dried cherry skin or plum with sweet spice and moist potting soil. If you love classic Brunello, I would recommend the estate's annata expression. The Altero is more contemporary and international instead. Some 15,000 bottles were made. The bottles were filled in July 2018 and released in January 2020.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPAromas of underbrush, new leather, camphor and tobacco leaf lead the way along with a whiff of ripe plum. The rounded full-bodied palate evokes dried cherry, crushed mint, vanilla and a hint of coffee bean alongside taut fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2023–2030.Wine Enthusiast | 92 WEFeaturing black cherry, black currant and dark plum flavors, this red is intense and broad-shouldered. Big tannins line the finish, yet this remains fresh, finding equilibrium in an oversized way. Best from 2023 through 2040. 1,250 cases made, 500 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 92 WSDark red with a large pale rim. Big, brooding wine that offers much darker color, aromas and flavors than Poggio Antico’s 2015 Brunello classico. But bigger is not necessarily better, and I find that the cedary, flinty, herbal nuances to the red and blue fruits neither have much verve nor they represent my ideal Sangiovese wine. Will likely improve with cellaring, but for the money, I’d rather buy Poggio Antico’s regular 2015 Brunello.Vinous Media | 91+ VMWith an eye towards the Tuscan coast, Poggio Antico's vineyards reach over 500 metres above sea level, and these breezy heights gave some reprieve to the vines in the warm 2015 vintage. Altero, which is a selection of the best barrels, demonstrates restrained perfumes of dried violets and lavender, red plum and fresh earth. The palate is full of succulent, plump fruit and polished, chewy tannins . Immediately seductive but with plenty of stuffing, freshness and balance, ensuring at least a decade of enjoyment. Drinking Window 2020 - 2030.Decanter | 91 DEC

Lots of bark, mushroom and forest-flower aromas with crushed cherries. Complex. Medium body with lovely acid tension and a racy and pretty finish. Very fine tannins. Lots of energy here. Drink after 2025.James Suckling | 95 JSA deeply savory, almost briny nose of balsamic, seaweed, salt, pepper and black sesame draws just enough sweetness from ripe black cherries. The palate brings more incisive notes of blackberry, along with more salt, more pepper and an emergent earthiness, which, along with symbiotic tannins and acid, create a sensation of easy balance. Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEThe Poggio Antico 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has a pretty bouquet with a unique set of aromas that recall dried cherries with hints of rose potpourri or fragrant acacia wood. Those delicate floral notes give lift and energy to the bouquet. The only distraction is the 15% alcohol content. Otherwise, this wine is a good example of a classic vintage. Production is 37,800 bottles.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPA blast of pure cherry fruit erupts from the glass, with iron, tobacco and spice notes adding complexity. Lively and balanced, showing a chalky feel to its tannins on the lingering finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. 3,150 cases made, 660 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WSA bright red color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is floral and aromatic of preserved strawberries, baby powder, and herbes de Provence. Medium-bodied, it has refined ripe tannins, even acidity, and a clean, stony textured finish. A lovely and charming wine, it’s drinking well now and will drink well over the coming 8-10 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDPoggio Antico’s high-altitude vineyards are almost dead centre in the appellation. They are characterised by constant breezes – both from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and Monte Amiata to the southeast – as well as significant diurnal temperature differences. Very fragrant and animated, this brings together scents of Mediterranean forest, pine and garden-fresh mint with cooler juniper and pepper notes. Very smooth and polished, the palate sports almost a glossy sheen. It is deliciously plump and weighted with layers of ripe, macerated cherry countered by chinotto bitters. There is more tension coming from the tangy acid than the soft tannins. Finishes with cinnamon spice.Decanter | 93 DECGrilled Porcini, leather and camphor aromas mingle with whiffs of resin, hay and violet on the 2019 Brunello from Poggio Antico. Made with grapes grown 480–570m above sea level, the robust, concentrated palate delivers liquor-soaked prune, mocha and mint before closing on the warmth of evident alcohol. Tightly woven, close-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2027–2034. Abv: 15%Kerin O’Keefe | 92 KO