Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Il Poggione 2016

The Il Poggione 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a medium dark appearance with pretty Sangiovese shine and a little ruby sparkle. This vintage shows a slightly untamed or wild side with a dense and heavier fruit profile. The focus here is on blackberry, dried cherry, tobacco and even a touch of smoky tobacco or horse saddle. The wine shows the firm grip and tannic backbone that is a common trait in this vintage, especially with the vineyards on this southern, sunlit side of the appellation. I also get a considerable flash of acidity on the close, almost too much, that certainly needs a few more years to soften. You really need to wait with this one. Production is an ample 200,000 bottles. 2024-2044

A red with blackberry, cherry, some walnut and chocolate, as well as mahogany. Tea, too. It’s full-bodied and firm-tannined with beautiful length and depth. Linear and very fine. Drink after 2024.