Poggio al Granchio is sourced from high elevations of 400-450 meters in the southeast of the region on galestro soils. The 2016 Poggio al Granchio Brunello di Montalcino is aromatically expressive of perfectly ripe cherry, sweet herbs, dried flowers, and stony earth. There is generous purity of fruit on the palate, with mineral-rich earth, and it had the most balanced and harmonious structure in the lineup on this tasting, with present but fine-grained tannin. I love this wine for its darker mineral edge in counterpoint with crunchy and ripe fruit. It is a super-pleasurable wine right out of the gate and will continue to be so over the next 20 or more years.

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio al Granchio is a dark and rich expression of earth and black fruits, laced with crushed stone minerality and hints of sour citrus. There are depths of silky textures here yet also a lifted and cooling feel to the expression, giving way to zesty wild berries, savory spice, mint and inner florals. It’s classically structured and showing only a glimpse of what’s to come after time in the cellar, leaving an impression of poise and purity. The Poggio al Granchio is a gorgeous expression of the vintage, hailing from the Southeast of Montalcino and refined entirely in large Slavonian oak. Tasted twice with consistent results.

The Poggio al Granchio vineyard lies on schistous or ‘galestro’ soil, which accounts for this Brunello’s iron-tinged, meaty succulence. The tannins have an engaging thickness, plumping up the fruit without colonising it, allowing the flinty flavours typical of this vineyard full play.

Black currant, cherry and plum flavors abound in this red, accented by licorice, tar, menthol, iron and tobacco notes. Pure, detailed and harmonious, with spice and mineral elements lingering on the long aftertaste. Almost approachable now, but better in three to five years.

A dusty and mineral start to this, followed by dried lavender, smoke and truffle. It's full-bodied and juicy with a wealth of ripe cherries, wild strawberries and lemon peel. Ripe tannins. Tight and polished.

Aromas of roasted coffee bean, licorice and menthol form the nose along with hints of rose petal. Full bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth, enveloping palate features sour cherry, blood orange, espresso, star anise and toasted hazelnut set against tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024-2036.