Poggio di Sotto, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany, Italy, 2018

Overview The Wine
Piero Palmucci was the body and soul of Poggio di Sotto for many years. The edgy character of the former logistics entrepreneur was also reflected in his wines: closed, classic, and very strong in personality. Since 2011, the beautiful 32-hectare winery in the hot south-west of Montalcino has been owned by Claudio Tipa, a Sicilian. The native Sicilian has been interested in wine and viticulture since early on, until he made the decision to turn his passion into a profession. Tipa already owns with ColleMassari, Grattamacco and Tenuta di Montecucco, some top estates in Tuscany.

The total vineyard area of the Fattoria Poggio di Sotto of ten hectares is dedicated to Brunello, four hectares are planted with about 1,400 olive trees, the rest is forest. The first Brunello di Montalcino dates back to the 1991 harvest, two years after the estate was founded. Within a short time, wines of high elegance and great complexity emerged. The entire estate is cultivated according to organic farming criteria. The steep vineyards with southern exposure in Castelnuovo dell'Abate at the foot of Monte Amiata reach heights between 200 and 400 meters. And the rocky soils are composed of gravel and clay in the lower plots and sandy loam in the higher ones. With three to three and a half tons per hectare, the yields are kept low.

Organic.

Grape / Blend 
100% Sangiovese

Origin
Tuscany, Italy 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Mighty wine and extreme elegance at the same time. The color is a pale ruby red. Vintage characterized by smells very fresh. The first notes are fruity and spicy notes, in which there are traces of helichrysum. Austere and blood taste of great flavor. Ideal with large pots or dishes seconds of game.

97+ Points - 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.

96 Points - 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.