Poggio Antico - Altero 2012 | Monsieur Touton Selection

Description

Altero (which means self-confident in Italian) was born in 1983, it has actually only been a Brunello since 1995 due to a change in the aging in oak regulations for the production of Brunello which were reduced to 2 years.This modern expression of Brunello gained fame when President Obama gifted a bottle to speak Boehner and it made the CNN news!

Estate

Poggio Antico is one of Montalcino's most elevated estates, with vineyards averaging 1476 feet above sea level, southwest of the famed medieval citadel. Both the unique location and altitude privilege the wines of Poggio Antico, which benefit from the perfect exposure and enjoy favorable overnight drops in temperature, ideal conditions that increase finesse and intense bouquet.

History

Poggio Antico was founded in 1976 and consiss of 50 clay, calcareous acres of Brunello di Montalcino. The estate has seen a phenomenal growth, going from 50 to the present 80 acres under vine, developing two parallel Brunello worlds – the more traditional, larger-barrel Brunello, aged longer in Slavonian oak and the modern, finesse-driven Altero, aged in tonneaux of French oak; securing a stellar position in the global market and extending and upgrading the facility to ultrahigh-tech standards. In 2017 Poggio Antico changed hands and was purchased by Atlas Invest, and it is now directed by the new General Manager Federico Trost. Poggio Antico recently lead a soil survey to approach the plot-by-plot management which started with the 2018 vintage by identifying, and consequently harvesting and fermenting separately, the micro terroirs inside each vineyard. All the estate is currently under organic conversion and a renovation of the cellar and of the hospitality center are part of the new plans.

Tasting notes

Here's a richly concentrated expression from one of the highest sites in Montalcino. The wine shows excellent balance and suppleness. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Altero flaunts the best characteristics of the hot vintage including beautifully saturated color intensity, seamless aromas and good texture richness. On that last point, I feel that the mouthfeel has been positively impacted by oak tannins. Dark cherry and dried blackberry are followed by spice, tar, licorice and grilled rosemary or Mediterranean herb. The wine is youthful and tight but should obtain a more polished approach with a few more years of bottle aging. -Robert Parker

Italy Tuscany Brunello Di Montalcino