2015 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino

Tasted blind. Lustrous mid ruby. Holding back on the nose but with plenty of plush, succulent fruit underneath. The tannins are quite marked at this stage, but there is plenty of fruit to balance this out in time. Elegant, juicy finish. (WS)

Poggio Antico brings us a classic expression of Sangiovese in its 2015 Brunello di Montalcino. The warm vintage has shaped more density and volume in the fruit, but fundamentally this wine holds tight to the bright and fresh taste profile that is characteristic of Brunello. The key is the acidity that remains an integral and important element in the fundamental architecture of this wine. That natural crispness serves to underline lively fruit flavors of wild cherry and pressed violets. Background tones of earth and black licorice also appear. The team at Poggio Antico, located at one of the highest altitudes in the appellation (from 500 to 550 meters above sea level), has worked well to preserve the cool climate characteristics in this very warm and sunny vintage. Some 36,000 bottles were made. This wine went into bottle in August 2018 and hit the market in January 2020.

Mid garnet. Quite primary still, candied red fruits with wet tobacco. Already drinking well, juicy and fruit forward. Pretty simple style, but will provide good early drinking. (AC)