Brunello di Montalcino

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DOCG

Brunello is a red wine of great power and elegance, the ultimate expression of Sangiovese. In Montalcino it is characterized by its reddish-brown colour and intense aromas and flavours.
At San Polo, the Allegrini estate in Montalcino, our Brunello is the fruit of tremendous love and respect for the land and a wine based on strong ethics, quality, and sustainability.

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Climate trend

In vintage 2010, the first phase of growth was accompanied by frequent rainfall, which continued until mid-June, with spring temperatures that were slightly below average. The next phase, starting from the last 10 days of June was very dry and hot. Rain then held off until the beginning of September. During September, daytime temperatures were stable while the nights were rather cool, providing the very favourable gap between day and night temperatures needed to foster ideal ripening. The various phases of vegetative development were rather late and slow, but steady and continuous and, from the last week of August onwards, the ripening of the grapes evolved perfectly. The wines produced in this vintage exhibit extraordinary characteristics for Sangiovese, in terms of both nose and palate, as well as composition. In addition to an excellent alcohol content, total polyphenols, anthocyanins and extracts are very high and rarely found in this grape varietal.

Vintage rating

Grape varieties

Sangiovese 100%

Vineyard

San Polo and Montluc

Harvest

Grapes are hand harvested in small 17 kg crates towards the end of September.

Size

750 / 1.5 lt / 3 lt

Vinification

Soft crushing of the grapes after careful selection of the berries

Ageing

30 months in 1000 L, 2000 L and 4000 L oak casks. This is followed by at least 6 months ageing in the bottle before it is released onto the market.

Fermentation

In concrete tanks

Malolactic fermentation

in oak casks

Awards

Wine Spectator

Mid garnet with soft rim showing just a touch of brick. Fabulous perfume – red fruited and floral. Mouthwatering freshness underpinned by sweet red fruits and all shaped by fine and already supple tannins. Juicy sweetness but serious too. Long finish. Already so easy to drink. (JH)

Wine Enthusiast

completamente granato con bordo luminoso. Immediatamente intenso e sfaccettato. Mirtillo e prugna fanno spazio a petali di rosa appassiti, poi affiorano cannella e rabarbaro, nocciola tostata e cioccolato, humus ed eucalipto, infine accenni di incenso e note minerali. Sorso saporito e avvolgente, sostenuto da tannini vellutati e amalgamati.

94+

Wine Advocate

"ai vini di San Polo non si può rimproverare nulla dal punto di vista formale, ma ci aspetteremmo un plus di personalità. E' l'unico limite che imputiamo a un Brunello 2010 aperto e risolto , forse superato in solidità e compattezza dall' ottimo Rosso 2013"

Vinous

Robe soutenue, reflets tuilés. Nez épanoui de fruits compotés, notes de réglisse, de sureau. En bouche une attaque d'abord suave, expressive, sur le fruit. La puissance s'impose ensuite sans nuire à l'harmonie. Un style plein que l'on peut déjà apprécier

2 Bicchieri

Vini d'Italia del Gambero Rosso

Gold Medal

The WineHunter Award

Mid ruby with orange rim. Sweetly spiced oak and succulent sweet fruit pulled together by firm, chewy tannins and tangy acidity. Complete if a little sweet on the finish and in need of more age to lose its youthful sweetness. (WS)

Ideal Example

Snooth

“Aromas of menthol, toast, espresso and mature black-skinned fruit come together on this accessible, full-bodied red. The ripe, chewy palate offers cherries marinated in spirits, blackberry jam, vanilla and a confectionary note alongside velvety tannins. You'll also note the warmth of alcohol on the midpalate.”

LCBO Tuscany feature Vintages Catalogue

LCBO - Vintages Magazine

“San Polo's 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a soft, immediate wine that will drink well upon release. Crushed flowers, autumn leaves, cedar and macerated cherries are some of the many notes that unfold in the glass. A touch of new oak adds sweetness on the finish. Although not especially complex, the 2011 is quite enjoyable today.”

Jancis Robinson

In “Top Wine Vintages You Need to Know About,” Snooth contributors suggest some of the best vintages from wine regions around the world. Cathrine Todd of Dame Wine praises the 2010 vintage of Montalcino and recommends as an “ideal example,” the SAN POLO Brunello di Montalcino 2010: “This wine shows an incredible purity of fruit, intoxicating floral nose, concentrated black cherry fruit and an extraordinarily long yet elegant finish. Since this wine is so well crafted, it could be drunk now but be warned, it will easily improve over the next decade."

Jancis Robinson

Wonderful aromas of ginger, plum, lemongrass and ripe berry. Full body and silky tannins with a depth of fruit and a long, long finish. A fantastic wine for the vintage. Can age this, but delicious already. Better than the 2010.

Jancis Robinson

Tasted blind. Concentrated ruby with orange tinges. A little candied and a little closed on the nose. Sweet and intense and long on the palate and already accessible. (WS)

James Suckling

3 viti

Guida Vitae - AIS

Degustazione Gilbert & Gaillard

A combination of the old and the new (fermentation in cement vats but ageing is 24 months in 700-litre tonneaux of new French oak) and an eco-friendly approach (use of natural fertilisers) makes for some highly distinctive wines. The estate is located in Montalcino’s central- southeastern sector at Podernovi, one of the highest quality areas for Sangiovese in the whole DOCG, and the rather young vineyards – the oldest were planted in 1990 – give somewhat austere but ever-improving wines. The 2010 is the best Brunello San Polo has ever made. 95 Clean, very intense and sensual nose. Lots of intense warm spices and dark forest fruits. Very concentrated, complex with elegant fruit. ANDREA BRICCARELLO 95 In a lovely modern style that is extremely well made. Smooth and suave in character. IAN D'AGATA 95 Spicy oak and cedar notes over powerful berry fruit aromas. Full and rich, with a real swagger. Juicy berry flavours, with good balance and length, liquorice and tobacco notes to finish. MICHAEL GARNER

Top 10 su 50

Decanter Star Buys 2015

Showing craftsmanship and care, the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a classic interpretation of Sangiovese from a warm vintage. It is generous and immediate with dried cherry aromas, blackberry, spice, leather and pressed rose. This is not a banal Brunello by any stretch. The more you dig deep into the bouquet, the more there is to discover. I detected hints of rosemary and sharper notes of pecorino cheese. Together, they paint a pretty picture of both the grape and the territory.

Decanter Magazine

San Polo's 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a soft, immediate wine that will drink well upon release. Crushed flowers, autumn leaves, cedar and macerated cherries are some of the many notes that unfold in the glass. A touch of new oak adds sweetness on the finish. Although not especially complex, the 2011 is quite enjoyable today.

4 grappoli