At a glance

Producer

Il Poggione

Region

Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

Grape variety

Sangiovese

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$110-$170 (USD, bottle retail as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Aromas of black cherry, wild herbs, violet, leather, iron, with imposing structure. Very youthful fruit, notable oak presence.

Evolution: Will gain complexity with notes of dried fruit, tobacco, truffle and forest floor, with softening tannins over next decade.

At peak: Elegant balance of mature fruit, earthy tertiary notes and seamless, velvety structure.

Structure

Acidity

Pronounced, lively

Tannins

High, fine-grained, structured

Alcohol

Medium to high (typically 14-15%)

Aging potential

Excellent; top vintages safely age 25+ years

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2032 to 2042

Optimal window

2029 to 2048

Current status

Infant/young; suitable for cellaring, some early drinkers enjoy with decanting.

Current condition

Firm tannins, high acidity, full structure; developing complexity but tightly wound.

As a single-vineyard Riserva from century-old vines, the wine is built for longevity. It enters early secondary/tertiary character by year 10-13, holding peak complexity through its third decade.

Food pairing

Long braised beef, wild boar ragù, aged Pecorino, truffle risotto, herb-roasted leg of lamb.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has high tannins and is structured, which can benefit from aeration to soften the tannins and enhance the aromas.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Il Poggione employs integrated pest management, restricts chemical inputs, maintains natural biodiversity, employs water conservation (drip irrigation only for new plantings), and invests in renewable energy (solar panels/partial self-sufficiency). They use lightweight glass bottles for this wine and recycled/renewable packaging. Some energy comes from on-site biomass reuse.

Il Poggione demonstrates a strong regional commitment to environmental best practices, with significant progress in reduced pesticide/fertilizer use and energy transition. Packaging is more sustainable than average for Brunello, but lack of third-party organic/biodynamic certification and international shipping slightly lowers the score. Still, their measures put them ahead of many peer estates.