2016 Sondraia

A heady, flamboyant wine, the 2016 Sondraia is simply magnificent. Super-ripe red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, mocha and licorice are some of the many notes that just soar out of the glass. Vibrancy and opulence come together in a stylish Bolgheri red that delivers the goods big time. The oak is perhaps a bit prominent, but everything about the 2016 works beautifully. This is a fabulous showing from Poggio al Tesoro.

The winemaking team at Poggio al Tesoro has created a beautiful 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Sondraia, fully aware of the potential and profound elegance of this classic vintage. They have been able to harness that quality and express it in terms of the broad and far-reaching intensity of the bouquet. The wine peels back to reveal layer after layer of dark fruit, oak spice, chocolate and sweet tobacco. The wine shows a big personality today, but it is only a teenager. It should be fascinating to watch its future evolution over the next ten years. Some 44,000 bottles were produced.

This is a beauty with notes of dried meat, dried plums, vanilla and eucalyptus. Full-bodied and very structured on the palate, thanks to muscular tannins. But it’s the acidity that really drives this and keeps you coming back for more and more. A long yet polished finish. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Drink from 2023.