2010 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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Tasting notes
This wine is inviting from the very first sip. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a fine example of excellent winemaking at Poggio Antico. This Brunello opens to pretty layers of forest berry, blanched almond, grilled rosemary, balsam herb and cassis. The style adopted here is elegant and tight, and shows a high level of complexity. Poggio Antico has stepped away from the richer and more extracted style that I remember a few years ago. Instead, this is a long-term wine that needs more time to open, but that promises to improve with age. I would suggest opening the bottle after 2018 or longer if you can wait.
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva comes across as narrow, compact and closed in on itself. It will be interesting to see if the wine fleshes out with time in bottle, but today, it looks like the French oak has totally gobbled up the fruit, while there is very little freshness or depth to speak of.
Tasted blind. Deep, impenetrable ruby. Compact with hints of oak spicy on the nose. Supple oaked fruit on the palate and really well done and seductive. Quite modernist, yet stylish with great balance and chewy tannins. Wonderful, elegant structure and palate weight. (WS)
The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the best of these wines. Translucent and silky, the 2010 is laced with hints of cedar, tobacco, mint, leather, pine, rose petals and lavender. The Riserva emphasizes finesse over sheer power and is a good example of what the property is capable of. Sweet floral and spiced notes add nuance on the persistent finish. The 2010 spent one year in French oak followed by two and a half years in cask.