2019 Poggiarellino Brunello di Montalcino

The nose blooms with sweet springtime aromas of rose water, vanilla bean, cherry blossom and wild strawberry, before snappier fruit notes of barely ripe cherries and berries take over on the palate. Clay-like tannins reinforce a bitter chocolate backbone. (DC)

This is a purist's Brunello from a legendary vintage. The 2019 Poggiarellino is a wine that perfectly captures the magic of this small, old-school estate. As I've said before, this is a tiny, 3-hectare farm in the northern part of Montalcino that does things the traditional way: native yeast in cement and long, slow aging in giant Slavonian oak casks. The 2019 vintage, with its perfect balance, classic structure, and brilliant acidity, was tailor-made for this style. This is not a fruit-forward, modern wine; it's a beautifully aromatic and structured expression of Sangiovese. The nose is all about precision: wild cherry, dried rose petals, leather, and savory herbs. The palate is firm and linear, with the noble, dusty tannins and vibrant energy that define a great, cellar-worthy Brunello. This is a true "rough diamond" and a fantastic example of the 2019 vintage's greatness. It’s a wine built for the long haul. It demands patience and a hearty meal, and it will reward those who cellar it for another 10-15 years. A must-buy for any lover of classic, soulful Brunello.