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Currently featured in our Reopened Enomatic Tasting Machine! Click here to see what’s on tap! The exceptional 2016 Brunellos are starting to run out. If you haven’t snapped up enough of these already (like me) then here’s your chance at an incredible price. And before you say “But it’s a Suckling score Rich…” let’s just do a little comparison. James Suckling (who is of course a renowned Italian wine expect and former Wine Spectator editor) has tasted and reviewed 359 bottles of Brunello for the blockbuster 2016 vintage so far. That’s almost double what Vinous, Wine Advocate, and Wine Spectator have reviewed. Those other publications have not tasted and reviewed this Belpoggio but they have some other 2016 Brunellos that Suckling also rated 93 points or less. So let’s play a game of connect the dots:
Belpoggio Brunello di Montalcino 2016 - 93 pts James Suckling Buy Six or More - $39.89 - That's US Best Price Online! Buy 3 – pay $42.99 All Else - Sale $45.99 The small Belpoggio estate sits in the southeastern corner of Montalcino, in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate sub-zone. The vineyards surround an old farmhouse that lies not far from the iconic Abbey of Sant’Antimo. With lofty high-rent neighbors like Uccelliera, Ciacci Piccolomini, and Poggio di Sotto nearby it’s fair to say Belpoggio is flying under the radar for now… Francesco Martellozzo purchased this 10 hectare property with striking views of Val d’Orcia and Monte Amita in 2005 and named it Belpoggio or ‘beautiful hill’. His vision was to revitalize this estate, restoring the farmhouse and modernizing the winemaking facilities, and converting to organic and sustainable practices in the vineyards. Ten years later and on the back of two fabulous back to back vintages Belpoggio is producing the finest wines this little property has even seen. Just 5 hectares of the property are dedicated to the cultivation of Sangiovese Grosso, the rest are ancient olive groves. The vines are planted on rocky slopes at 350-400+ meters above sea level, enjoying cooler night-time breezes and better sun exposure, lending to balance and ripeness. This 2016 is a classically styled Brunello from a top vintage that bursts with dark cherry, plum, raspberry, hazelnut, smoky tar, and dried flowers aromas and flavors. Robust yet refined from barrique oak ageing, with rich red, dark fruited flavors building on a core of fine tannins that lead into a long dry finish that’s fresh with chalky minerals. Delicious now with a little decanting and you can expect this bottle to age for a decade or more. Under $40 a bottle? This is a steal. Load up while you can! |
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