Robert Parker: 95 points for Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino, "first-class Sangiovese from Montalcino"

My father and I were very happy to receive news of the scores and reviews from the Robert Parker's Wine Advocate today. In case you don't have a subscription to the online or print edition, here are the scores and the notes. 

Thanks you, Messers Antonio Galloni and Robert Parker, for taking the time to review our wines. We are glad that you like them as do we! 

I was completely blown away by the wines I tasted from Il Poggione this year. Readers who want to experience first-class Sangiovese from Montalcino won’t want to miss these exceptional wines. Winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci and his team have done an exceptional job for which they deserve all the praise in the world.

— Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate, July, 2009

2004 Brunello - 95 points

The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is awesome. This finessed, regal Brunello flows onto the palate with seamless layers of perfumed fruit framed by silky, finessed tannins. The wine remains extremely primary at this stage, and its full range of aromas and flavors have yet to emerge, but the sheer pedigree of this Brunello is unmistakable. The elegant, refined finish lasts an eternity, and subtle notes of menthol, spices, licorice and leather add final notes of complexity. The estate’s 2004 Brunello is a wine to buy and bury in the deepest corner of the cellar. Brunello is never inexpensive, but this is the real deal, and in relative terms, it is one of the world’s great values in fine, cellar worthy wine. Incredibly, there are 18,000+ cases of the 2004 Brunello, so it should be fairly easy to source in various markets. The Brunello is made from four vineyards ranging from 250 to 400 meters in altitude, all in Sant’Angelo in Colle. The wines from the various vineyards were aged separately in French oak casks prior to being assembled and bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034.

2003 Brunello Riserva Vigna Paganelli - 93+ points

The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is made from old vines in the estate’s Paganelli vineyard in Sant’Angelo in Colle. It is surprisingly fresh in its expression of red cherries, tobacco, leather, earthiness and spices. Deceptively medium in body, the wine reveals gorgeous length and a refined, silky finish, both qualities that are exceptionally rare in this vintage. This is high-class Sangiovese. In the torrid 2003, winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci gave the Riserva 12 days of fermentation/maceration on the skins, and aged the wine in large French oak casks. For the Riserva the estate vinfies with 100% stems, and also uses a higher percentage of newer oak. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2003 Riserva merit a higher score in a few years. The 1975 Riserva – from another super-hot vintage- was breathtaking when last tasted about two years ago?.and the Paganelli vineyard was only 10 years old at the time! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2028.

2007 Rosso di Montalcino - 90 points

The 2007 Rosso di Montalcino is a soft, floral wine with pretty red fruits that meld into tobacco, spices and minerals. The wine possesses lovely inner perfume to match its accessible personality. The 2007 is a relatively open vintage for the Rosso, and while I don’t see this vintage making old bones, it should offer highly pleasurable drinking over the next few years at a minimum. In 2007 Bindocci decided to de-stem 70% of the fruit, which yielded an especially soft, approachable wine. Because Rosso is a wine generally made for near-term consumption, its hard to argue with that approach, especially in this economy. Still I miss the firmer style of Rosso the house is capable of. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2017.

Comments

[Phil Rozen]

Congratulations to Il Poggione and the Bindocci winemaking team for this well-deserved score for the 2004 vintage! It is not surprising however, since historically Il Poggione has mastered Brunello, crafting exquisite Tuscan wines with a balance of power and grace to marvelously pair with food. I can't wait to try the new vintage with Osso Buco or my mom's recipe for Veal with wild mushrooms!

[Brian Scott]

These scores are just proof positive of what we have all been tasting for years. With the rise of Brunello in the Italian wine world, it pays to be traditional. To have a history and adhere to generations of expertise has enabled Il Poggione to produce a wine which cannot be duplicated anywhere else but Sant'Angelo in colle. It is wines like this which first excited me about the industry and the reason I have chosen it as my career.

[Gabriela Len]

Il Poggione Brunello is one of my favorites because it is so full of flavor, yet never feels overwhelming. It's so nice to see a great wine receive the recognition it deserves with 95 points from Robert Parker! I can't wait to add the 2004 vintage to my cellar...and though it will be a daily struggle, having to fight the deep yearning I feel at the thought of consuming such a delicious masterpiece, Il Poggione Brunello is definitely worth the wait.

[Jeremy Parzen]

Congratulations, Ale! I love the wines (you know) and it's so awesome that you're getting the recognition you and Il Poggione deserve... great stuff...

[Dustin Laufenberg]

I am very much looking forward to trying the 2004's, Year in, year out Il Poggione is my favorite producer in Montalcino. Sounds like this one will have great aging potential as well. Should be tasting great around the time my 4 year old son graduates high-school!

[Colin Crowley]

This wine is AWSOME! I love Il Poggione, year in and year out, but this is truly and exceptional vintage!

[Rich]

Congratulations!

[Tawny M. Cannata]

Congrats IL Poggione-- I am cracking a bottle now and packing for Europe!!! Great to see you recognized for your amazing vino and unsurpassed talent.

Cheers,
Tawny M. Cannata

[Alessandro Bindocci]

Thanks everyone for the great comments!! We at Il Poggione are really happy for such great scores.
We were so excited with the vintage 2004, as it was really good; 2003 was a real challenge, but having old vineyards is a real advantage for challenging vintages as this.
Thanks again everyone and I hope to see you all soon!!