The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino pulls the taster close to the glass with its dark and earthy blend of crushed ashen stones, giving way to rosemary, cedar, exotic spice and a core of raspberry preserves. Enveloping and serene, this flows across the palate like pure silk, steadily building in tension as tart wild berries and orange hints give way to a sweet herbal thrust. The 2019 finishes with tremendous length and is classically structured, as crunchy tannins resonate and violet inner florals slowly fade over a tactile coating of minerality. Il Poggione has captured the radiance of the vintage, yet this is just a baby today.
96 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Dec 2023)
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has an intriguing nose of freshly shaved white truffle, rose petals, sweet earth, candied orange peel, and roasted hazelnut. The tannins are abundantly silken, with a subtle power on the palate that is framed with freshness. The palate feels complete and holds the 15% ABV with grace, while the finish unfolds with fresh herbs and earthiness lingering. They started planting higher elevation vineyards in the '70s and '80s. In cooler years use they utilize the lower elevation vineyards, but almost every recent vintage has been based on the higher elevation plantings due to climate change bringing warmer temperatures.
95 points, Vanessa Conlin, Wine Independent (Dec 2024)
The Il Poggione 2019 Brunello di Montalcino shows an evolved bouquet with aromas of dried fruit, forest floor, crushed flower and autumnal leaf. On a second nose, you get dark licorice, wet slate, cola and grilled rosemary. The tannins are powdery and dry. I recommend a medium-term drinking window as a result. You do feel the powerful 15% alcohol content in this ample 200,000-bottle release.
94 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Dec 2023)
Saturated dark red in color and coming from 25- to 60-year-old vines, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino is a brooding and serious wine on the nose and needs a little air on opening at this youthful stage, with aromas of cigar box, vanilla, smoky cedar, blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, and charred rosemary. Opulent and rich, this full-bodied Brunello reveals rich, velvet tannins, warming richness, and spice, and its oak-noted frame enhances the richness. It’s deserving of several years of proper cellaring to harmonize and is a lovely, warming wine to enjoy over the coming 15- 20 years. It was raised for 3 years in large French oak barrels.
94 points, Audrey Frick, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2024)
Features ample plum, cherry, iron, tobacco and underbrush flavors buoyed by a plump texture to match the dense structure, plus vibrant acidity to keep it all focused. Another year of aging should allow the finish to stretch out and this wine to reach its full potential. Best from 2026 through 2042. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 16,600 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.
94 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Jun 2024)
The 2019 is a vintage of balance, somewhere between 2016, 2013 and 2010. Sant'Angelo in Colle, which suffers in warmer vintages, performed very well and Il Poggione is a great example of the harmony of the area's wines in this vintage. Fruity at first sniff, it becomes more restrained later, with black cherry, violet, leather, graphite vibrancy and its typical nutty finish. The chalky tannins are extracted but velvety, underlined by an almost zesty acidity.
94 points, Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter (Sep 2023)