The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino from Tenuta Il Poggione is a benchmark expression of Sangiovese, crafted in the Montalcino region of Tuscany. This wine is produced from 100% Sangiovese grapes, hand-picked from vines at least 20 years old, grown at altitudes between 490 and 1,475 feet above sea level. After fermentation at controlled temperatures, it is aged for 36 months in large French oak barrels, followed by extended bottle aging, resulting in a wine of remarkable depth and complexity. It presents an intense ruby red color with a complex bouquet of cherry, leather, spices, licorice, cured meat, and grilled herbs. On the palate, it is full-bodied with soft, integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, elegant finish, showcasing the power and finesse of the 2010 vintage, considered one of Montalcino’s finest.

Food Pairings

This Brunello pairs excellently with rich, hearty dishes. Ideal matches include red meats (such as prime cuts of beef or roast rack of lamb), game with mushroom sauces, pasta with meaty ragu, and mature, firm cheeses. Its high tannins and acidity make it less suitable for lighter dishes like seafood, salads, or poultry. Decanting is recommended to fully appreciate its aromas and soften its tannins.

Critics Reviews

• Monica Larner (Wine Advocate, 98 points): “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose, and grilled meat in equal measure. The mouthfeel is tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging.”
• Antonio Galloni (Vinous, Feb 2015): “Il Poggione’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a remarkably beautiful wine. Rose petal, mint, cinnamon, sweet dark cherries, and smoke lift from the glass in a translucent, wiry Brunello built on energy and power. This is an especially lifted, precise, and nuanced Brunello from Il Poggione, with more emphasis on length and mid-weight structure rather than overt volume. For the money, there is not a single better wine being made in Montalcino.”
• James Suckling (Dec 2014): “Lots of sliced mushroom and berry character. Lots of flowers such as lilacs and violets. Full body, firm tannins, and a fresh and clean finish. It’s harmonious and beautiful. Drink or hold.”

• The Story of My Wine (2020): “Amazing Brunello, this Il Poggione. Ruby red with a narrow, clearish garnet rim. Aromas of violets and cherry liquor, basil leaf, and pine. This feels serious and austere. Dryness, high toned acids, ripped tannins, and warm alcohol all hide beneath a robust body of fruit. Lean but long aftertaste.”

Drink Window

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is built for long-term aging, with a drinking window from 2017 to 2035, though it can be enjoyed earlier with decanting. Critics note it is only at the beginning of its evolution, with potential to develop further complexity over the next decade or more.