2011 Brunello di Montalcino

The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino represents a smaller harvest. Some 130,000 bottles were produced, which is 80,000 bottles less than average. In fact, Il Poggione made more Rosso di Montalcino and IGT compared to their flagship Brunello. No Riserva was produced in 2011. One of the reasons for the reduced production was the very warm growing season that mandated severe fruit selection. In my opinion, Il Poggione has done a fine job with the fruit they dedicated to this wine. This is a wine of ripe fruitiness and dark richness. There is a hint of reduction that puts the proverbial breaks on the wine's intensity. Il Poggione is happiest with the 2012 and 2015 vintages and less so with 2013.

Il Poggione is a Brunello superstar and a vintage like this reveals every reason why that affirmation is true. From the second the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino pours into the glass, you know you are in for something special. The wine is darkly saturated and rich in appearance. Absent are those slightly amber or browning hues you often get with Sangiovese in a hot vintage. Nor does the wine show flat or tired characteristics. Instead, the quality of fruit is vibrant and rich. This is a healthy, generous and exuberant Brunello with dark density and succulent fruit flavors that are followed by integrated spice and tobacco. The balance is impressive and one thing you get here is fresh acidity. This is not to be underestimated, because the acidity quota in the 2012 vintage across the appellation is not as high or evident as usual. This is one of the year's best Brunellos.

Il Poggione has done a terrific job with its 2011 Brunello di Montalcino. The wine is soft, yielding and charged with a velvety and smooth texture. It is deeply redolent of dark berry, black cherry, spice, leather and tobacco. The wine's sunny personality never feels flat or too dense. In fact, the wine offers a very tight and steely backbone that gives the wine stature and strength. This is one of my favorite Brunellos from the 2011 vintage.