Il Poggione

What to look for

• •Deep garnet colour, brick edges showing age
• •Cherry, plum and dried herb aromas with hints of leather and earth
• •Silky tannins that have softened over time, leaving a dry, lingering finish

About the producer

Il Poggione is one of Montalcino's most respected estates, known for balancing traditional winemaking with careful vineyard management across their holdings in this prestigious zone.

About the year

The 2012 vintage in Tuscany produced wines of elegance and restraint. At this age, the wine has moved past its youthful power into a phase where secondary flavours emerge and the tannins have become more approachable.

Grape characteristics

Brunello is the local name for Sangiovese Grosso, a grape that thrives in Montalcino's clay and limestone soils. It produces wines with natural acidity and firm tannins that age gracefully for decades.

About the region

Montalcino sits in southern Tuscany at elevation, where cool nights and warm days create the conditions for slow ripening and complex flavour development. The region's volcanic and limestone soils give the wines their distinctive character.

Tasting profile

Expect ripe cherry and plum with undertones of dried herbs, tobacco and earth. The wine shows the maturity of a decade in bottle, with softer edges than a younger Brunello but still plenty of depth and complexity.

Serving suggestions

Serve at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Decant for 30 minutes to open up the aromas. Use a large red wine glass to let the wine breathe and show its full range.

Also pairs well with

• • Tuscan beef stew
• • aged hard cheeses
• • roasted game birds
• • mushroom risotto
• • grilled lamb chops