Team Thursdays | Poggio di Sotto with Noah Dranow

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ABOUT THE WINES OF
POGGIO DI SOTTO

Poggio di Sotto doesn't mess around; they make 3 (THREE) wines, total, all from Montalcino: Rosso, Brunello and Brunello Riserva. You will see us have a variety of these throughout the year, as they aren't made in abundance, nor should anything so beautifully crafted be. 

Piero Palmucci founded the estate in 1989 just outside of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, which is in the southern part of the region. While so many vignerons and estate owners try to accomplish their dreams by planting a myriad of clones, varietals and really just throwing the Spaghett' at the wall and seeing what sticks, Piero performed a study along with the nearby University to identify the perfect Sangiovese clone for his estate. The entirety of his estate is this one, single grape/. 

The vines are located within three different plots on varying altitudes of the high hills (200-450m altitude) overlooking the valley of the Orcia River. Here you find the classic seashell-encrusted soils so similar to much of Burgundy, and it contributes to the otherworldly lift and elegance of the wines. Unlike many other estates throughout Tuscany, the Rosso here is the same clone (Sangiovese Grosso) as is used in the big boy, the Brunello. That means the only difference between the three wines is the length of time spent within oak - all of which is Slavonian "botti". 

 

Poggio di Sotto, Rosso di Montalcino

 
Nothing changes in terms of the selection process of the grapes for the Rosso as opposed to the Brunello or the Riserva - this is one massive step] that defines the class of the estate and its wines. The only other variable is that the Rosso is fermented within both oak and stainless tanks, whereas the Brunello is exclusively fermented in [used[ oak vats. The wines are then transferred to the "Botti", same as the Brunello, and then aged for 24 months before bottling. The stainless allows a bit more brightness and zip to the Rosso in its youth, and a bit more of an airy, ethereal quality as it ages. 
 
You'll find both 2014 and 2017 in our cellar at the moment, and as Noah articulated, 2017 is the classic vintage that is structured to age perfectly, drinkable now as it doesn't have ripping tannins, but will only improve with 20-40 years in bottle. 2014 is the silky, airy and wildly complex wine that transfixes so many first-timers, second-timers and, well, call us every-timers (present company included).
 
As indicated, stay tuned to eventually track down some Brunello and Riserva as we are able to acquire them. The Brunello spends 58 months in oak, whereas the Riserva, which is only made in spectacular vintages, spends a total of 5 years in those Botti. It's a labor of love at Poggio di Sotto...won't you join the party?
 

 

 

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