100 Points - 2016 Poggio di Sotto Riserva Among The Greatest Brunellos Ever

You can quickly become dazzled by towering scores. And as a supplier of the world's most exclusive wines, we see many at the very high end. But to put this in perspective, Wine Advocate only awarded 100 points three times in the greatest Brunello di Montalcino vintage to date (2016).  

One of these was for the 2016 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalsino Riserva - and this not only contributes to the fact that we are here dealing with the highest rated Riserva from Poggio di Sotto. In fact, it is among the best Brunellos ever produced. And now you can invest in it.  

Thorough Research Was The Basis For Poggio Di Sotto

When Piero Palmucci decided to found his own Brunello estate, a thorough piece of research began. And indeed, thoroughness permeates all processes when Piero Palmucci creates his wine.   

Piero Palmucci spent years researching the microclimates and soil conditions that would give sangiovese the very best conditions. He consulted locals and experts to find the best parcels. His thoroughness led him to Poggio di Sotto outside the town of Castelnuovo dell'Abate in southern Montalcino - where he founded his estate in 1989.   

Complete Dedication To Sangiovese

The estate was founded, but the thoroughness did not stop there. Palmucci began working with the university to find the finest sangiovese clones, and to get the vineyards perfect in terms of plant density, grape sorting, and pruning.   

Sangiovese became the only variety on the estate, which meant complete focus and dedication. Organic approach and exemplary nurturing resulted in a reputation as one of Brunello's leading producers.   

New owner - same winemaker

In 2011, the property was sold to Claudio Tipa, who also owns ColleMassari and Grattamacco. However, winemaker Federico Staderini went along with the deal to ensure that quality remained despite the change of ownership. Staderini's influence was only to be temporary until the property was well handed over - but due to a strong collaboration with Tipa's chief winemaker Luca Marrone, they now form a duet at Poggio di Sotto. 

Riserva - Only In Exceptional Vintages

The estate's Riserva is only produced in the very best vintages, making it the example of the very best from Poggio di Sotto. It is selected from the very best cellar casks and the house itself describes it as undeniably elegant and impressive.   

The 2016 vintage is aged for 4 years and produced in only 8,000 bottles. Piero Palmucci's perfectionism and uncompromising approach still characterise the wines of Poggio di Sotto, and this 2016 Riserva gets formidable points that cement it.   

100 Point - "A Wine I Can Still Taste In My Mind"

The above quote comes from Monica Larner from the Wine Advocate, and in fact it is the first time a Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva has received the triple digit top points from them. Both Vinous and James Suckling award 97 great points, leaving the 2016 vintage with an average score of 98 points between the three.   

This places the 2016 vintage as the best Riserva from Poggio di Sotto ever. However, it is important to point out here that James Suckling did not review the 2004 vintage, which without scores from him scores a total of 97.5 points.  

With High Points Comes Demand

When a wine is awarded 100 points by the world's leading wine critics, attention naturally turns to it. According to Wine Advocate, the 2016 Poggio di Sotto Brunello Montalcino Riserva has a drinking window of 2024-2055, which is to the investor's advantage. Indeed, there is ample opportunity here to store 100-point wines for the 100-point-hungry wine lovers of the future.    

At Vinous, they even acknowledge their 97 points with this: "As motivating and lively as this is today, it will require a number of years in the cellar to show its best", which just underlines the importance of saving for the future - and that those who can save, are rewarded.   

Among The Greatest Brunellos. Not Just In The 2016 Vintage - But Ever.

100 points is the absolute greatest achievement in the world of wine. Therefore, it is particularly interesting to look at the 2016 Poggio di Sotto Brunello Montalcino Riserva in an overall assessment perspective for Brunello di Montalcino in the 2016 vintage.    

At Wine Advocate, they have tasted and rated a total of 198 Brunello di Montalcinos from the 2016 vintage. Out of these, only 3 (THREE!) wines scored the magic 100 points: including Poggio di Sotto Riserva.   

Vinous is the ultimate Italian expert. They have tasted and rated a whopping 320 Brunello di Montalcinos from the 2016 vintage, none of which scored 100 points. This just underlines how critical Vinous really is. Out of the 320 wines assessed, only 27 wines received between 97-99 points, which is why the 2016 Poggio di Sotto Riserva is among the 8.5 % of the best assessed wines by Vinous in the vintage. 97 points from the Italy specialist is a high score. Really high.   

The 2016 vintage is rightly considered the greatest Brunello di Montalcino vintage, ever. So, recognizing this premise, and based on the fact that this Riserva received one of only three 100-point scores from Wine Advocate and ranks in the top 8.5 % of the best-rated wines of the vintage, by the most rigorous Italian critic, the conclusion is simple: the 2016 Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva ranks among the world's elite and is among the best Brunellos ever produced.   

Read more about the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino vintage: https://www.rarewineinvest.com/news/2020/pre-sale-has-started-2016-is-the-greatest-vintage-of-brunello-di-montalcino-ever/  

Rarewine Invest's Opinion

Poggio di Sotto is synonymous with the best producers in Brunello di Montalcino. Their Riserva is synonymous with a very limited production of just 8,000 bottles in the 2016 vintage and otherwise towering quality. In addition, the 2016 vintage will to Brunello di Montalcino be what 1988 or 1996 is to Champagne - a benchmark vintage wine lovers and connoisseurs will look back on and return to as often as they can.   

Pair the above with the fact that Poggio di Sotto's Riserva, as one of only three wines from the 2016 vintage in Montalcino, scored 100 points by Wine Advocate, and that it's in the top 8.5% of Vinous' 2016 Brunello ratings, and the picture emerges.   

This is not just the best-rated Poggio di Sotto Riserva ever - it is among the best in Brunello di Montalcino history. And if you are one of those who believe in the future of the best, most expensive and most prestigious wines, this is certainly one of them when we talk Brunello di Montalcino.