2010 Poggiarellino Rosso di Montalcino

Superb depth and complexity in a Rosso di Montalcino for $17 doesn't come around very often. Great light red fruit with hints of cocoa and vanilla spices from the barrel. Superb value on this rustic favorite.

A super star in our Montalcino offerings, poggiarellino makes wonderful and rustic northern Montalcino sangiovese- wines with earth, dust, and structure. This beauty, from the perfect 2010 vintage, is a powerful rosso that needs a couple of hours of breathing time before it reveals itself (or 5 years in the cellar).

A dense heavy weight Rosso di Montalcino with excellent fruit concentration and purity. This is a big wine that shows the power of the vintage but has a remarkable backbone of acidity to boot. The 2010 Montalcino vintage is said to have been one of the most promising in decades and if this wine is anything to go by, I’d say early indications are spot on. Decant for an hour if drinking young but don’t be scared to lay this one down a year or two. Excellent value for such quality, 100% Sangiovese.

Much cleaner than previous vintages, which might catch people who dug that classic Poggiarellino barnyard nose by surprise. But today, it is all about the cherry covered chocolate nose and tobacco. Excellent!

2010 is just an outrageously good vintage in Montalcino, the best I have ever tasted. The 2010 Rosso di Montalcino release is now upon us and while the wines are absolutely spectacular they are more like Brunello than Rosso, fortunately they still have a Rosso price tag! This Poggiarellino Rosso di Montalcino is a powerhouse, deeply colored, structured and will easily have a decade plus lifespan. The flavors are classically Poggiarellino, that wild Marasca cherry flavor that is always in their wines shines through coupled with hints of earth and leather and it does smell more like a Brunello. On the palate you feel the dense power and structure, the flavors open up and more berry spice is added to that awesome Marasca wildness. The wine has a long finish and will age very well. To drink now open and decant an hour or two ahead of time and then try it with a grilled T-Bone, drizzled with a little Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Like the 2009 Rosso, this is almost "baby Brunello." This is drinking great right now and will continue to do so over the next couple of years (but only if you can keep your hands off it and keep some in the cellar). Here is a wine that packs a wallop and lots of bang for your buck all in one. Give this Rosso about an hour to open up and wow! On the palate you will find ripe strawberries and black cherries, a little bitter chocolate, some hints of toasty oak and vanilla, soft tannins and very good acid that gives this a great backbone. This will work well with ribs or a pork loin. Open a bottle or two up for Dad and give him a couple to put in his cellar.