Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Poggio di Sotto 2019, the Sangiovese of Montalcino

In this Brunello, the Sangiovese expresses itself with an intensity that doesn't erase its balance or freshness. I hold onto the contrast between the ripe red fruit, the flowers and the spices, carried by firm yet already ripe tannins. A wine to open after aeration, or to keep in the cellar to follow its evolution.

Castelnuovo dell'Abate, at the heart of Brunello

Poggio di Sotto is located in the production zone of Montalcino, in Tuscany, within the Val d'Orcia. The estate, founded in the late 1980s, has been part of the Colle Massari group since 2011, alongside Castello Colle Massari and Grattamacco, in the Bolgheri region. It covers 16 hectares of vineyards. For this 2019 Brunello, the Sangiovese grapes come from Castelnuovo dell'Abate, an area where the plots lie between 200 and 450 meters above sea level.

The soils, rich in coarse elements, and the altitude frame this wine, without the tasting being reduced to a single impression of power. The winemaking follows a traditional path: long macerations, fermentation in wooden vats, then aging of 48 months in oak barrels and eight months in bottle. This long maturation supports the fruit and tannins without masking the aromatic profile described for the vintage. The average score recorded among experts is 97/100; I read it as a reference point, rather than as a promise on its own.

In the glass, the color is a bright ruby red. The nose, intense and elegant, combines red flowers with red fruit jam, with touches of spice. On the palate, the wine shows itself powerful yet well balanced: the tannins are firm and ripe, while a pronounced acidity finds its counterpoint in a pleasant fruity intensity. The vintage is still young and exuberant, which explains the value of decanting it an hour before serving. It can be enjoyed right now, but can also be kept up to 25 years according to the available indications.

At the table, game or red meat stew

I would serve it with game or a red meat goulash, two pairings that match its structure and generous fruit. For a bottle opened today, plan on an hour of decanting to give it time to breathe. If you prefer wines that are more mellow, aging offers another route: this Brunello is said to be able to rest in the cellar for several years, up to 25 years. It's up to you to choose between the energy of a wine still young and a tasting postponed for later.