2019 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino

“These wines renewed my faith in the enormous potential of Montalcino… they are a new benchmark for the region.” – Wine Advocate

A blanket apology for all the CAPITALIZATIONS and EXCLAMATIONS, but this is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 100 point perfection, with a cadre of other 98-99 point ratings from the pros. And a price that brings a tear to my eye.

There are three "untouchable" Brunello producers: Soldera, Biondi Santi, and Poggio di Sotto.

Which is why I’ve been BEGGING for an allocation for SEVEN years. Those dreams finally came true last year when we were bestowed, drumroll… SIX BOTTLES.

That's it. For thousands of Ops. AND us. Which is why most of you did not hear about that. And we kept asking. For more.

They said: next vintage.

Fast forward to today, and they DELIVERED! A small STOCKPILE! At the best price anywhere!

You are NOT going to see this under $200 anywhere, ever again. It's over $400 here!

That full Wine Advocate praise goes, “These wines renewed my faith in the enormous potential of Montalcino. I wrote about the ‘soul of Brunello’ in my introductory article and played around with a definition of what that means. You could read my words, or just pop your nose into a glass with any one of the wines reviewed here, and that spirit would be revealed to you. Not only did these wines renew my faith, they also sparked my passion. I can't wait to get back to Montalcino. Poggio di Sotto is an estate that spares no expense (all the wines are now organic, and the estate has old vines up to 45 years old and is home to 120 biotypes of Sangiovese), so it would be rather tragic if the wines weren't so good. However, these are better than good. I think they are a new benchmark for the region.”

It's kind of pointless to rate a wine of this caliber, so don’t get carried away with the 98-100 reviews below, buy in blind faith, and it will hit perfection for you too. If you open one this year, DECANT for at least a day. Or keep some to ring in the New Year in 2050 and thank your 2025 self for the patience and restraint.

Buy, buy, BUY. Can’t believe we got THIS MUCH TO SHARE!!!

100 Points – The Drinks Business “A legend in the making, this is sumptuous. Slow to reveal its charms at first, this is the Brunello equivalent of Cheval Blanc; a little more open and expressive when re-tasted just before the March releases. Pitch perfect poise, elegance, charm, finesse and delicacy. One of the most beautiful aromatic profiles of any Italian wine I have ever encountered. It’s incredibly floral – violet, lavender, peony and a mix of dried flesh-pink rose petals and fresh yellow rose petals (I’m back in my grandfather’s garden). Patchouli and confit floral notes too. There’s a dusty, earthy element too and a little cinnamon, freshly grated. In the mouth, there’s more amplitude here than the slightly more structured 2020 Brunello itself. The effect is to give the fruit, still generously enrobed in its floral pink silk pajamas, more space to dance and glide and express itself. There’s amazing freshness, a milles-feuilles sense of layering and a seemingly endless finish stretching all the way to a distant vanishing point. Incredible.”

99+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pours a jeweled ruby color and has more concentration than the 2018, but it’s going to need time to reach its full potential of complexity. Rich notes of kirsch, licorice, sapid herbs, and dark stones are followed by a medium to full-bodied red that’s deep and rich through the palate, with ripe and noble tannins, a seamless feel, and a long-lasting finish. A profound wine and one of the best of the vintage, give it some time while drinking the 2018s and 2020s. Drink 2027-2047.”

98+ Points – Wine Advocate “This is a set of impeccable wines. It must be said, however, that they started off very closed, and it took me a long while, with multiple tastings, to coax out the adjectives and descriptors you read here. I encountered the same thing with the wines of San Giorgio, which is under the same ownership. With this in mind, I definitely recommend more bottle age for Poggio di Sotto's new releases. It would be a shame to open these wines without giving them five more years at a minimum. Although this wine was very shy initially, the Poggio di Sotto 2019 Brunello di Montalcino eventually hits all the high notes of Sangiovese. This is a wine of enormous inner tension, showing a punchy, lifted personality with aromas of cherry skin and blackberry. You get brandied cherry, strawberry glazed pie with the gelatin, underbrush, blue flower, forget-me-nots, balsam herb, mint and licorice. A few hours later, the wine had developed into a classic beauty with slender lines, firm structure and a sparkle of brilliant acidity. The oak is integrated to the point of invisibility, the tannins are elegant and fine and the acidity is that proverbial cherry on top. Ultimately, I liked this village bottling more than the 2018 Riserva. Drink 2030-2055.”

98 Points – The Wine Independent “The aromas of the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino are captivating, unfolding layers of floral elegance with hints of rose, violet, and lavender, complemented by notes of ripe strawberry and aromatic herbs. On the palate, it offers a silky, refined tannins paired with understated strength, seamlessly balanced by a remarkable vibrancy and freshness that lingers effortlessly on the balanced finish, which seems to never end. Winemaker Leonardo Berti states that the 2019 was almost "too easy" and as the differentiation for Rosso, Normale, and Riserva are made in the cellar, it was a difficult year to decide as the quality was so high throughout. Drink 2025-2055.”