IL Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2018 revisited

(AI Photo)

You’ll notice ripe cherry, plum, and dried herbs on the nose, with hints of tobacco and cedar. On the palate, there’s dark berry fruit, earth, spice, and a touch of leather. The tannins are firm but smooth, leading to a long, savoury finish. This Brunello is enjoyable now and will become more complex over the next 5 to 10 years. It offers classic Montalcino character at a strong price-to-quality point, appealing to those who appreciate both tradition and youthful freshness. Serve it slightly cool and let it warm up in the glass.

The 2018 vintage has received outstanding critical acclaim, including 96 points from James Suckling, 95 points from Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) and Decanter, and 94 points from both Wine Spectator and Vinous.

— James Suckling: 96/100

— Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 95/100

— Decanter: 95/100

— Wine Spectator: 94/100

— Vinous: 94/100

These consistently high scores reinforce IL Poggione’s reputation as a benchmark Brunello and highlight the wine’s exceptional quality this vintage.

The balanced acidity and tannins make this wine enjoyable right away, but it also has good ageing potential. Its bouquet is layered with fruit, spice, and gentle oak notes. The long finish really brings out the character of Montalcino’s terroir.

Sometimes, a bottle might have less pronounced fruit or firmer tannins, and rarely, the oak can stand out more than the fruit for a while.

IL Poggione is made entirely from Sangiovese and aged for about 30 to 36 months in large Slavonian oak casks. This traditional method keeps the grape’s character and structure intact, adding gentle spice and elegance while still feeling fresh and refined.

The 2018 vintage in Montalcino was cooler and classic, producing elegant, structured wines with lively acidity. This Brunello should age well for 10 to 15 years, gaining more complex flavors as it matures.

Wine-Searcher lists this wine at around HK$330 to $420 per bottle. At HK$375, your price is competitive and reflects the wine’s strong value and quality among top Brunello producers.

The style is mostly traditional, focusing on the Sangiovese grape and the region’s character rather than strong new oak flavours or heavy extraction. Still, it has a smooth, approachable quality that modern wine drinkers will enjoy. The wine searcher prices are quoted by AI.

In some Brunello tastings, IL Poggione is often compared to classic Brunello producers like Biondi-Santi, Altesino, Lisini, Fuligni, and Casanova di Neri. These wineries are known for their focus on pure Sangiovese, reliable quality, and wines that age well. IL Poggione’s style is traditional, highlighting the region’s character and balance. It stands with Lisini and Biondi-Santi, but is a bit more approachable, similar to Altesino or Fuligni.