2020 Il Poggione, Brunello di Montalcino

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is explosive, bright and punchy at first, evolving from cranberry to cherry with dusty sage, spiced blood orange and Tuscan dust. The is pure elegance, texturally deep and nearly velvety in feel with a core of tart wild berries that add contrast as a balsamic tinge emerges along with fine-grained tannins toward the close. It finishes long, structured and staining, leaving a flinty sensation and primary core of fruit that drenches the palate as violet inner florals and hints of lavender abound. The 2020 is seamless from start to finish and, while more approachable than a typical vintage of Il Poggione, is balanced for an extended maturation.

Showing very nice results, with greater accessibility in this vintage, the Il Poggione 2020 Brunello di Montalcino has dark fruit aromas with blackcurrant followed by something spicy or herbal. I am reminded of licorice root, exotic spice, pressed rose and fragrant tea leaf. It finishes smoothly with silky tannins and an open-knit approach. This vintage is almost ready to drink, and you get elegant complexity at the same time. It sees three years in oak botti. Fruit is sourced across vineyards with 25-year-old-plus vines. This is an ample production of 200,000 bottles.

Mid ruby. Brooding, peppery fruit with leafy, herbal notes. Lush yet a little subdued and with plenty of acidity on the finish, indicating it needs more time. Long and shyly fragrant and well balanced. (WS)