January 10, 2025
2019’s Top-Scoring Brunello Riserva: Il Poggione
Hot New Release:
Il Poggione Brunello Paganelli Riserva 2019
98 Points
“the 2019 Riserva Vigna Paganelli, it’s a perfect example of a Riserva that delivers all of the added depth and regal structure that is often missing from this category. Bury this beautiful beast in a deep, dark corner of your cellar—it’s money in the bank.” - Vinous, Eric Guido, Vinous
The 2019 vintage in Montalcino is hailed as one of the greatest modern-day vintages, offering ideal growing conditions that balanced warmth with timely rainfall. Producers benefited from even ripening, yielding Brunello’s with vibrant acidity, impressive structure, and exceptional longevity. Expectations for the 2019 Riservas are understandably high, and the best examples exemplify depth, energy, and elegance.
With over 100 years of history, Il Poggione stands as one of Tuscany's most iconic wine estates. Founded by Lavinio Franceschi, the estate is now in the capable hands of the fifth generation, Leopoldo and Livia Franceschi. Il Poggione played a pivotal role in establishing the Brunello di Montalcino consortium, which has worked tirelessly to uphold the region’s style and quality, solidifying its place in the world of fine wine. For lovers of classic Sangiovese, Il Poggione is a benchmark. The team at the Fine Wine Library love these wines and each vintage places them into their personal cellars - a strong endorsement.
Il Poggione's Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is crafted exclusively from Vigna Paganelli, the estate's oldest and finest vineyard, planted in 1964. Situated at ideal elevations, it embodies exceptional terroir, delivering depth, elegance, and longevity, and stands as a benchmark for classic, age-worthy Brunello. The wine is only made in the best years with 2016, 2015, 2012 and 2010 being the most recent.
The Paganelli Riserva 2019 is a dark, brooding expression of the vintage, revealing exotic spices, black cherries, dried roses, and ashen stone, with a racy, sensual palate of silken textures, vibrant red berries, and zesty acidity. Il Poggione's 2019 Riserva Paganelli is a masterpiece, scoring 98 points from Vinous placing it (joint) highest in their 2019 Riserva vintage report.
If there is one Riserva to buy from the 2019 Brunello vintage, then this is it. We recommend buying a case or two and enjoying the decision in years to come.
Il Poggione Brunello Paganelli Riserva 2019
98 Points | Vinous, Eric Guido
Brooding and balsamic, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a dark stallion of a wine with a bouquet to meditate to, wafting up exotic spices, flint, incense, dried roses, black cherries and hints of ashen stone. It's racy yet complex and sensual, with silken textures and masses of mineral-inflected red berry fruits, all guided by a core of zesty acidity as a tinge of sour citrus adds tension throughout. Pleasantly chewy yet still mouthwatering, the 2019 leaves a web of fine tannins, along with a hint of orange zest and cloves to linger on and on and on. This is drop-dead gorgeous.