Poggio di Sotto - Rosso di Montalcino 2019

Established in 1989, Poggio di Sotto is known in Montalcino for its unique ecological niche of old Sangiovese vineyards (more than 50 years old). Together with the University of Florence 120 unique biotypes of Sangiovese were discovered. This biodiversity is the cornerstone of the unique brightness and complexity that is found in Poggio di Sotto wines and the leader of its distinctive style.  Since its foundation, the estate has become famous for the high quality of the Sangiovese that it cultivates and has quickly achieved cult status.

Poggio di Sotto is located on a hill to the southeast of Montalcino. Located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate at the foot of Monte Amiata, the steep vineyards on the south-facing slopes are at altitudes of between 650 and 1,300 feet above sea level. The stony soils are composed of gravel and clay in the lower sections, as well as sandy loam in the higher areas.

Rosso di Montalcino Poggio di Sotto is actually a 3 years old Brunello (Brunellino) which shows to be ready  to be bottled up earlier than its bigger Brother Brunello. Grapes are managed in vineyars and cellar in the same way as a Brunello. The only difference is after two years of aging, we taste each cask and select some of them to be bottled as Rosso di Montalcino, and some as Brunello. It has the same ability to age as a high end Brunello.  

Vinification is in oak vats, spontaneous fermentations lead by indigenous yeasts, long macerations and several aeration with pumping-over during the day. The wine ages 24 months in 30 hl oak casks and it was bottled up on December 2017. This technique is the same used for the Brunello and helps to enhance the authentic flavor of our grapes.

"Shavings of cedar, blood orange, crushed cherries, dried flowers and stone dust form a mesmerizing bouquet as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino slowly opens in the glass. There are depths of ripe textural fruits here, offset by zesty spices and bright acidity that sweeten the expression while energizing it as well. A web of fine tannins coats the palate through the finish, coupled with a core of primary concentration and sweet inner florals that seem to never truly fade. What a glorious achievement from Poggio di Sotto. The 2019 spent a whopping 43 days macerating on the skins, followed by 29 months of refinement in cask. It's undoubtedly a baby Brunello." - 95 points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

"An absolutely stunning wine for the category, the 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino pours a vibrant youthful ruby hue, with a detailed and transparent expression of incense, cherry liqueur, rose petal, wet stones, and fresh herbs. It has medium body, beautiful concentration, and a compact tannin structure, with ripe wild raspberry, orange peel, saline, and iron-rich earth. At this stage, it is still wound up and needs more time, but it has impressive age-worthy potential. This is not your average Rosso. Drink it over the coming 15 years." - 95 points, Jeb Dunnuck

Producer: Poggio di Sotto

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Varietal: Sangiovese

Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml