Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Poggio al Granchio — 2016
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Vineyard Profile
- Grape Source: Sangiovese Grosso 100% only from the "Poggio al Granchio" vineyard
- Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Size: 18 ha (44 acres)
- Soil: Galestro soils (marl)
- Elevation: 400 - 450 meters (1,312 - 1,476 feet) above sea level
- Orientation: North - South
- Density: 5,050 vines/hectare (2,045 vines/acre)
- Training: Spurred cordon
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Vintage Report
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The 2016 vintage started out with a large amount of precipitation from January through February, which helped to build water reserves. March was cooler than normal, with budbreak starting around the middle of the month, leading into a temperate yet dry April. However, water reserves from the winter months maintained homogenous growth throughout.
The end of April into May was rainy followed by June, which continued to be wet yet more in line with an average year. Luckily, temperatures were cooler than usual, which slowed growth of the vines. Combined with good ventilation (for both northern and southern slopes), this mix kept the production of rot at bay. Ultimately, these conditions were the key to balancing the warm and dry summer months. Warm but never hot, 2016 is often described as having very even temperatures and no dramatic swings, other than the strong diurnal shifts between day and night, which helped in the healthy maturation of fruit. The autumn months and into harvest continued this theme, with temperate and dry conditions.
- Harvest Date(s): October 6, 2016
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Vinification
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Once the grapes have been picked, they undergo pre-fermentation maceration at a low temperature (5-6° C, 41-43° F); fermentation takes place with particular control of the temperature (not over 27°C, 81° F), pumping over techniques and délestage in order to enhance the fruity and mineral component of the wine. 100% Malolactic fermentation.
- Aging: 24 months in 60 hectoliter Slavonian oak vats, 6 months in concrete tanks, followed by 18 months in bottle
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese Grosso
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 5.35 g/L
- p H: 3.48
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Tasting Notes
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POGGIO AL GRANCHIO is in the South East side of Montalcino and expresses the nature of galestro shales soils. Due to the soil the wine shows lower pH and higher acidity with high level of thick and firm tannins. It is the muscular expression of Brunello di Montalcino with the most age worthy character. On the nose it shows a combination of red and black fruits complexed by lifted leafy note and gamy character. The palate is bloody and full of energy.
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Images
Reviews
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Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Poggio al Granchio — 2016 – Wine Spectator – 95 Points
Black currant, cherry and plum flavors abound in this red, accented by licorice, tar, menthol, iron and tobacco notes. Pure, detailed and harmonious, with spice and mineral elements lingering on the long aftertaste.
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Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Poggio al Granchio — 2016 – Decanter – 95 Points
The Poggio al Granchio vineyard lies on schistous or ‘galestro’ soil, which accounts for this Brunello’s iron-tinged, meaty succulence. The tannins have an engaging thickness, plumping up the fruit without colonising it, allowing the flinty flavours typical of this vineyard full play.
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Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Poggio al Granchio — 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
Aromas of roasted coffee bean, licorice and menthol form the nose along with hints of rose petal. Full bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth, enveloping palate features sour cherry, blood orange, espresso, star anise and toasted hazelnut set against tightly knit, fine-grained tannins.
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Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Poggio al Granchio — 2016 – Jeb Dunnuck – 98 Points
The 2016 Poggio al Granchio Brunello di Montalcino is aromatically expressive of perfectly ripe cherry, sweet herbs, dried flowers, and stony earth. There is generous purity of fruit on the palate, with mineral-rich earth, and it had the most balanced and harmonious structure in the lineup on this tasting, with present but fine-grained tannin. I love this wine for its darker mineral edge in counterpoint with crunchy and ripe fruit. It is a super-pleasurable wine right out of the gate and will continue to be so over the next 20 or more years.