Brunello di Montalcino Altero, Poggio Antico 2016

If you have visited the site that gives birth to this wine, it's impossible to forget the view. This is one of the only (maybe the only) vineyard in Montalcino from which you can see the twinkle of light that reflects off the Tyrrhenian Sea in the far distance. That altitude, exposure and open panorama shapes the very elegant Poggio Antico 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Altero. Specifically, the fruit comes from Il Vignone, located in the I Poggi area, at 500 meters in altitude (very high for Montalcino). Il Vignone measures just under five hectares and sees loose, well-draining soils. The wine reveals dark fruit intensity and concentration with black cherry, plum and tilled earth. There's a tangy hint of tilled earth or dried lilac as well. The character of this wine is more robust for sure, but that elegance that we saw in the classic Brunello is also present here. Production is 10,000 bottles. 2024-2045

I love the decadent edge to the ripe black cherries, cherries and cedar with some sandalwood. It’s full-bodied and very tight with polished, refined tannins that give the wine wonderful length and focus. So long and exquisite. Drink after 2024.

Ruby with a hint of brick at the rim. Smells a little acetic and balsamic. Slightly strange contrast between a touch of vanilla sweetness and then a rather tart, severe fruit profile. When I first tasted this I thought it was rather hard work but when I went back to it, it seemed much better balanced, complex and long. Both sweet and savoury and a complete whole. 2024-2030