Poggio Antico ‘Altero’ Brunello di Montalcino
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Altero (which means self-confident in Italian) was born in 1983, it has actually only been a Brunello since 1995 due to a change in the aging in oak regulations for the production of Brunello which were reduced to 2 years.
Varietal Composition: 100% Sangiovese
Elaboration: A cold soak was done for 3 days. The fermentation lasted 10 days with temperatures never exceeding 28°C and was followed by a 20-day maceration. Aged for 30 months in French oak tonneaux (500 l), followed by 18 months of bottle refinement.
Tasting Notes: Juicy red currants, cherries, and sprigs of fresh rosemary are robed in vanilla and baking spice with just a wisp of smoke.
PRESS
2013 – 95 Wine Advocate
2015 – 91+ Vinous | 92 Wine Enthusiast | 94 Wine Advocate | 97 James Suckling
2016 – 96 Wine Advocate
2017 – 94 Wine Advocate | 94 Wine Spectator
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Poggio Antico was founded in 1976 and consists of 50 clay, calcareous acres of Brunello di Montalcino. The estate has seen a phenomenal growth, going from 50 to the present 80 acres under vine, developing two parallel Brunello worlds – the more traditional, larger-barrel Brunello, aged longer in Slavonian oak and the modern, finesse-driven Altero, aged in tonneaux of French oak; securing a stellar position in the global market and extending and upgrading the facility to ultrahigh-tech standards. In 2017 Poggio Antico changed hands and was purchased by Atlas Invest, and it is now directed by the new General Manager Federico Trost. Poggio Antico recently lead a soil survey to approach the plot-by-plot management which started with the 2018 vintage by identifying, and consequently harvesting and fermenting separately, the micro terroirs inside each vineyard. All the estate is currently under organic conversion and a renovation of the cellar and of the hospitality center are part of the new plans.