Poggio di Sotto

Founded during the Brunello boom in 1989, Poggio di Sotto has long been regarded as a classic benchmark for Montalcino thanks to the vision and fastidiousness of owner Piero Palmucci (with the help of the late great consultant Giulio Gambelli). A long-time admirer, Claudio Tipa of the ColleMassari group purchased the estate in 2011. He works with Gambelli’s disciple Federico Staderini to preserve the estate’s identity. From a gustatory and quality perspective, the transition has been seamless.

Located in Montalcino’s southeast near the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, vineyards range in altitude from 160-440m on clay-rich, stony marls that vary in composition. Over 180 different biotypes of Sangiovese have been identified from vines planted in the 1960s and 70s.

The wines typically see lengthy macerations and long ageing in 30-hectolitre Slavonian oak casks with very little racking, Leonardo Berti who has been the winemaker since 2016 explains that the Rosso is declassified Brunello selected after 18-24 months based on a blind tasting of all the casks. (It is well-worth the price of entry.) The remaining botte - destined for Brunello - continue their maturation and assessment via blind tasting. In years when a single cask stands out for its depth of colour, vigour and evocative strength, it is selected for a Riserva. To date, only once have two casks been selected – in 2016.

With a well-defined progression from one to the next, Poggio di Sotto’s wines are the epitome of Sangiovese’s impossible lightness of being without lacking substance, density or nuance. Typically austere in their youth, they demand plenty of time in the cellar.