San Polo, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Vintage: 2015
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | SP605B15 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
San Polo was purchased by Marilisa Allegrini in 2006 after several years spent searching for a suitable property in Montalcino. Located in the eastern part of the region, the estate covers 22 hectares, with 16 hectares under vine. The vineyards lie between 400 and 450 metres above sea level on poor, stony soils composed mainly of galestro (schistous clay), which naturally limit yields and suit the production of high-quality Sangiovese. Detailed parcel mapping allows each vineyard to be managed individually to maximise the potential of this distinctive site.
The estate produces classic Montalcino wines with slightly more weight than those from the northern part of the appellation. Today, the property is run by Marilisa and her daughters, Carlotta and Caterina, with a focus on precise winemaking and sustainability. As part of this vision, the winery has been certified sustainable by CasaClima since 2013, organic since 2017 and vegan-certified since 2019.
The Brunello di Montalcino shows the hallmarks of the region’s modern style, with ripe fruit, cedar notes, fine-grained tannins and impressive length. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva offers greater depth and demonstrates the estate’s standing within the region. Two additional Brunello wines are produced only in the best vintages. ‘Podernovi’, from a single vineyard, is an energetic and elegant expression from one of Montalcino’s most recognised sites. ‘Vignavecchia’ hails from 30–40-year-old vines in a west-facing vineyard planted on galestro soils and is intense, complex and suited to long ageing. The Rosso di Montalcino offers excellent depth and approachability, while ‘Rubio’, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, is fragrant and supple.
Vineyards
Poggio San Polo's vineyards cover approximately nine hectares planted between 1990 and 2000. They are situated at an altitude of 450 metres above sea level, facing south-southwest, on chalky, clay soils. The average age of the vines are 5-15 years and they are spur-cordon trained with a density of 7,000 plants per hectare. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is made in exceptional vintages from the best grapes grown in the estate's oldest vineyards planted in 1990.
Vintage
One of the best vintages in the last twenty years. The entire growing cycle of the vine took place under the best possible conditions. A cold winter with frequent heavy rainfall and low temperatures gave way to a dry spring with temperatures slightly above average, enabling uniform budburst and perfect flowering. Showers in the summer months were scarce but fortunately heavy, which made it possible to carry out sustainable and environmentally friendly pest and disease management. Hot, sunny days with excellent day to night temperature variations enabled the bunches to achieve ideal ripening by the end of September. The berries were perfectly healthy and acidity was high, despite elevated sugar concentration, with a very thick skin.
Vinification
Grapes were hand harvested in small 17 kg crates on September 16th. After careful selection of the berries (only the best of the whole estate goes into the Riserva), there was a gentle crushing. Fermentation occurred in concrete tanks at temperatures of 28 to 30° degrees for 22 days. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in new medium-toast 500-600 litre tonneaux and 10 hectolitre oak casks. The wine spent 36 months there and then spent 8 months in bottle before release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Intense ruby red with garnet highlights. The characteristic aroma is pronounced, persistent, broad and ethereal. There are marked nuances of forest undergrowth, wood and spices and lighter notes of small red berries, a hint of vanilla and jammy fruit. The palate is dry and warm, with good tannic structure and flavours of plum, black cherry, aromatic wood, wilted rose an tobacco. The wine is robust, highly-structured and long-lasting, but at the same time elegant and balanced.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Acidity
6.25 g/l
Residual Sugar
1.7 g/l
pH
3.48
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Polo | Rosso di Montalcino | SP601 | R | Factsheet | |
| Brunello di Montalcino | SP602 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Rubio | SP604 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Brunello di Montalcino `Podernovi` | SP606 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Brunello di Montalcino `Vignavecchia` | SP607 | R | Factsheet |