Poggio Al Sole Chianti Classico 2018

When Piero Antinori set out to create the benchmarks of Super Tuscans in Tignanello and Solaia, he knew that the land in the northeast corner of the Chianti Classico appellation was very special. Dizzying elevations and mineral, shale based soils were the perfect setting to coax great intensity, complexity and tension in wine.

The wines from these special hillsides have long walked the fine line of power with grace. From the original parcels that sourced Antinori’s famous Super Tuscans, the view of Giovanni Davaz’s gorgeous estate of Poggio al Sole is downright amazing. Location is everything in Chianti and I am definitely a sucker for it but for as much as I like to drink it, out of the 1000 or so wineries that exist in Chianti, I can count on my hand how many estates are really good. Poggio al Sole is firmly in that handful of quality, organic, traditional estates.

Their high elevation vineyards bring out the Burgundy-side of Chianti Classico, producing lush wines with just a touch of earthy rusticity and great length. That was more important than ever in a vintage like 2017. Only high elevation vineyards were able to contend with the heat. Estates like Poggio al Sole were picking 2-3 weeks later than those at lower sites, allowing Sangiovese grapes to finish ripening slowly, perfecting the aromatic complexity and fine grain of tannins that make this wine so special.

The newly arrived 2018 is a classic, with the high elevation sites of Poggio al Sole ripening slowly through the near perfect weather conditions of August, September and October. The resulting wine is elegant, with great aromatic complexity and length.