You can lose yourself in the bouquet of the 2016 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino. At one moment, the 2016 shows crushed cherries with autumnal spice; the next, it’s exotic florals and candied orange peels, and at another time flowery undergrowth, white smoke and wild berries. It’s unbelievably soft and pure, lifting the wine through saline-minerals, as sweet notes of cherry and raspberry begin to slowly saturate, yet what they leave behind is youthfully grippy tannins. With how structured the 2016 is today, it’s still enjoyable due to nervous acids and notes of sour citrus, which keep the expression fresh. The 2016 Poggio di Sotto Brunello is really a terrific effort and a classic in the making. EG

A chewy, dusty-textured red with lots of intense tannins and fresh blue fruit, as well as black cherries and some orange-peel undertones. It’s full-bodied and tight with firm tannins at the end. Closed. Give it another two or three years to come around. Try after 2023.

The beautiful 2016 Brunello di Montalcino possesses deep inner shine and a glossy nature that transcends the bouquet and the mouthfeel. The wine is redolent of dark plum and wild cherry, and those bright primary fruit tones descend into softer layers of rose hip and lavender sachet. The wine's acidity hits the palate with balanced determination and instantly livens up the senses. This classic vintage will be remembered for its length and pedigree. ML

There is always something so recognisable and pure in Poggio di Sotto. The estate has made a great effort to preserve the genetic material of the vines, and the Sangiovese is a massal selection of its own biotypes. Aromas drip with ripe red cherry, Mediterranean herbs and white pepper. The fruit is sumptuous and very juicy – all raspberry and nectarine flesh. Beautifully weightless yet mouthfilling, it's racy and fluid with powdery tannins that cleanse the palate, and a lingering finish of orange blossom and tea. Drinking Window: 2022 - 2035
Tasted by: Michaela Morris (at Vancouver, 22 Mar 2021)
Part of Brunello di Montalcino 2016: vintage report and top wines