98pts Wine Enthusiast

The thing that makes Poggio di Sotto stand out from the pack is its substance. Brunello is always a wine with weight and heft, but this one has a density that feels all encompassing—like entering an entirely new universe.

97pts James Suckling

Restrained strawberries and cherries, with a touch of lavender and a lot of licorice. Super juicy on the palate with thick, chalky tannins at the moment, yet they are balanced by supple, sweet fruit. Medium- to full-bodied with a very savory aftertaste. Though pleasant, it’s not fully ready to drink now, and there’s a lot of potential for the long haul.

97pts Wine Advocate

Very much still a baby at the time of my tasting, the Poggio di Sotto 2020 Brunello di Montalcino shares many similarities with the epic 2016 vintage in terms of its pretty perfumes and polished length. However, this elegant wine does not have the same sheer inner power. This bottle ultimately offers a fresh and charming interpretation of Sangiovese. This is a delicate wine with floral aromas, wild rose, crushed stone and white cherry. Aged in large Slavonian oak casks, it requires more time to flesh out. Harvest started the last week of August and finished the first week of October, which represents a conscious decision to start picking earlier than most. The vineyards are planted on schistic galestro soils, and that territorial imprint comes through strongly in all of these wines. I love that refreshing hint of lemon rind or navel orange at the very end.

96pts Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino is a bright ruby red color and is pretty and fruity on the nose, with notes of wild strawberries, herbes de Provence, orange zest, and saline. The palate is mouthwatering and coiled, with a haunting feel on the snappy finish, which is tangy and mineral-noted at this young stage. It's going to need time. Drink 2028-2048.

95pts Decanter

Winemaker Leonardo Berti is among those who compare 2020 to 2018. As such, he aerated gently with pump-overs and kept skin maceration to 35 days to avoid over extraction. Aromas are piercing and precise as this opens with orange and grapefruit rind, flint and freshly ground pepper. There is a gorgeous transparency of redcurrant and raspberry, while bergamot adds inner perfume. Although fuller than 2018, the 2020 is unequivocally elegantly weighted, with almost a delicateness to the structure, yet those fine-grained tannins persist. Appetising and buoyant, it trails off leisurely with lavender and thyme.

94pts Vinous

Incredibly floral and mineral, the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino displays a cascade of rose petals, violets, white smoke, underbrush and dried strawberries. This is wickedly fresh and feminine in style, with a vibrant core of acidity and juicy red berry fruits that swirl throughout, complemented by a sweet herbal thrust. It finishes with lovely length and concentration yet is still potent with crunchy tannins and a resonance of savory spice that lingers on and on. This understated yet drop-dead gorgeous Poggio di Sotto Brunello should put on more weight with cellaring, but today, it's already enjoyable on its potential 

93pts Wine Spectator

Expressive and laced with cherry, blackberry, floral and wild herb flavors, this juicy red delivers plenty of energy and a supple feel. There are light tannins on the finish, lending the right amount of support. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2027 through 2042.

Winemaker Notes

Parallels to the red wines of Burgundy abound in discussions of Poggio di Sotto. The Sangiovese wines released from this special property do always favor elegance and restraint over opulence and power, yet they never lack depth. Normally a paler hue of ruby than other Brunello wines, Poggio di Sotto’s tameness of color belies concentrated aromas and flavors. A profile anchored in bright cherry fruit is framed by highlights of balsamic, baking spice, and candied orange peel. The tannin structure is firm yet ripe and will carry the wine well through decades of cellaring. A classic wine from one of the world’s great wine regions.

Equally at home with flavorful meats from the grill as with refined and layered dishes. Considered a "Vino da Meditazione," Poggio di Sotto Brunello is also enjoyable on its own.