Poggio Antico Riserva Brunello di Montalcino 2018

Poggio Antico is an organic estate in Montalcino, southern Tuscany, and reserves its Riserva for the strongest years. The grapes pass through a triple selection, sorted in the vineyard, on a table at the winery and by an optical sorter, so only the finest fruit is used. Brunello is pure Sangiovese, and Montalcino's galestro and clay soils, high altitude and wide day-to-night temperature range give ripe fruit with the acidity and tannin the grape needs to age. The Riserva is aged in oak longer than the standard Brunello, spending a year in French oak barrels and a further two years in Slavonian oak. The tighter grain of Slavonian oak allows a slower, gentler oxygen exchange that resolves the tannins and layers in savoury, spiced complexity while keeping the fruit intact. The colour is deep garnet. The nose is dark cherry and plum over leather, tobacco, liquorice and earth. The palate is powerful and structured, with ripe tannin, firm acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant well ahead, or cellar for years. It is built for roast and game meats.