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.

Bright red with a pale rim. Captivating aromas of ripe red fruits, blueberry nectar, marzipan and Oriental spices. Boasts outstanding inner-mouth perfume and precise flavors of ripe red cherry, redcurrant jelly, potpourri and minerals. Finishes long and seamless. This is one of the best non-single vineyard Brunellos of the vintage and one of the better wines from Poggio Antico in some time.

Lustrous maturing ruby with orange tinges. Rich damson and raspberry-jam nose with cinnamon-bark hints and a touch of baked apple. Succulent and juicy damson, raspberry and sour-cherry fruit. Very long and finely balanced with long, sandy tannins. At its peak but will stay there for a long time. (WS)

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)