2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio
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The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio is silky, open-knit and gracious. More importantly, it shows terrific freshness and transparency for a wine from this dry, torrid year. Crushed red berry fruit, kirsch, spice, leather, tobacco and incense lend nuance throughout. The 2017 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but will also age effortlessly for decades. If opened young, the 2017 will benefit from a few hours of air.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Laura Bianchi and her team make exceptional wine, and I am always happy to recommend Castello di Monsanto. The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio exhibits a dark garnet color, although there is less shiny luster in this hot vintage. Ripe aromas of baked plum, raspberry tart and strawberry confit rise from the bouquet. The fruit is complemented by lightly toasted spice. With fruit from 5.2-hectares with galestro-rich soils, this is a production of 160,000 bottles.
The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Poggio has a soft and supple perfume of baked red cherry, cinnamon, incense, and roses. It is medium-bodied, with a silky texture throughout, fine-grained tannins, and warming spice on the finish. It is a lovely wine. Initially, it felt like it was beginning to show signs of maturity on opening with its pillowing and sunny fruit, but it held up wonderfully and improved over several days. Drink 2023-2040. Aldo Bianchi purchased this historic estate in 1961, and in 1986 they began excavation to build the incredible 300-meter tunnel that today is home to their historic cellar, with bottles dating back to 1962. (That vintage was the estate’s first as well as that of the denomination.) Il Poggio was the first wine in the region to be labelled with a single vineyard. The third generation is now in charge, with Laura Bianchi having taken over from her father Fabrizio. In the cellar, they work with Slavonian oak for the aging of the wines.
The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna il Poggio is elegant, translucent and absolutely delicious, all qualities that will make it very easy to enjoy and appreciate upon release. Hints of cedar, tobacco, licorice and spice give the 2017 striking aromatic presence. It's a gorgeous wine, and especially finessed given the very warm, dry growing season.