Review

Wine Advocate June 2009 92 Points Poggio Al Vento 2001 ------------------------------------------ The estate’s 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento is a gorgeous, layered wine that reveals nuances of menthol, licorice, sweet spices, leather and plums, all of which meld together in a Brunello of remarkable balance. The wine’s ripeness and structure insure it will last for many a year to come. In fact, the tannins may well outlast the fruit. In the meantime there is much to admire here, starting with an impeccable, long finish that begs for a second taste. Proprietor Francesco Marone Cinzano makes powerful wines imbued with notable pedigree from his extensive holdings in the southern reaches of Montalcino. ------------------------------------------ Wine Review Online March 24, 2009 97 Points Poggio Al Vento 2001 - 97 Points, Wine Review Online ------------------------------------------ At a tasting of Brunello from the superb and rightly high-acclaimed 2004 vintage, this wine shone. It had heavy competition since the 2004 vintage produced many outstanding Brunellos. But this wine was a cut above everything else in the room. It had a rich, earthy, smoky black fruit dense core that is the hallmark of Brunello, but a length and complexity that was staggering. A wine to cellar, it has plenty of supple and ripe - not green and hard - tannins befitting a young wine. But its impeccable balance suggests a gorgeous evolution. In my private scoring system, this wine gets the highest level, WB (for 'would buy'). ------------------------------------------ Wine Advocate April 30, 2008 89 Points ------------------------------------------ The 2002 Brunello de Montalcino Riserva is a surprisingly successful effort. It shows an attractive inner sweetness and notable balance even though it naturally is lacking body and texture. To be sure, this will always be a leaner style of Brunello but it should develop nicely in bottle. ------------------------------------------ International Wine Cellar April 2008 90 Points Poggio Al Vento 1999 - 90 Points, International Wine Cellar ------------------------------------------ Medium ruby with a hint of garnet at the rim. Beautiful sangiovese nose speaks of violet, underripe red berries, licorice and cured tobacco. Very intense, almost syrupy red cherry flavors are complicated by spicy leather and game nuances. Beautifully harmonious acids give this real definition and lift, with ultra-smooth, velvety tannins echoing on the concentrated, long finish. ------------------------------------------ Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines 2008 Poggio Al Vento 1999 - Tre Bicchieri ------------------------------------------ Gambero Rosso presents the English and German version of Vini d'Italia 2008, the best-seller book about Italian wines that has become a mainstay for both professionals and wine-lovers. A unique opportunity to get know and to taste a wide selection of the best Italian wines. ------------------------------------------ Wine News October 17, 2007 95 Points Brunello de-con-struct-ed ------------------------------------------ Intense aromas of black cherry and licorice with hints of leather. Juicy wild cherry flavors balanced by big, sweet tannins wonderfully combine power and elegance. Delicious. ------------------------------------------ Guide to Italian Wines Spring 2007 4 Stars - Excellent ------------------------------------------ Deep garnet with beautiful aromas of red cherry, red spice and carnations. Medium-full with very good to excellent concentration. Long finish with moderate tannins, lively acidity and subtle oak. Lovely, elegant wine to be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years – perhaps longer. ------------------------------------------ San Diego Union Tribune March 21, 2007 ------------------------------------------ From the wall of this small Tuscan hill town you can scan the horizon and spy some of the most important vineyards in the Montalcino district: Banfi, Argiano, Il Poggione and Col d'Orcia. The wines of this area are typically riper and more powerful than those produced elsewhere in the Brunello zone, but none more so than the iconic Col d'Orcia single-vineyard Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Poggio al Vento. The Poggio al Vento vineyard is a unique parcel that delivers consistent wines vintage after vintage -- namely, powerful, long-lived brunellos that will be better in 10 years than they are today. ------------------------------------------ Wine Review Online February 28, 2007 Col d'Orcia's Poggio al Vento 1999: No Wine Before It's Time ------------------------------------------ The wines of the southern tip of the Brunello di Montalcino zone are typically riper and more powerful than those produced elsewhere in the Brunello zone, but none moreso than the iconic Col d'Orcia single-vineyard Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Poggia al Vento. The Poggio al Vento vineyard is a unique parcel that delivers a consistent quality vintage after vintage, namely powerful, long-lived Brunello that will be better in 10 years than it is today. ------------------------------------------ Wine Advocate December 26, 2006 90 Points ------------------------------------------ The 1998 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento is bigger and fatter than the 1999. It presents a more masculine array of earthiness, tobacco, tar and dark cherry nuances on an ampler, if less refined, frame of notable length, with broad, building tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. ------------------------------------------ Wine Advocate December 26, 2006 91 Points Poggio Al Vento 1999 ------------------------------------------ Showing livelier color than the 1998, the 1999 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento opens with delicate, nuanced aromatics followed by a lovely core of red cherries, tobacco and minerals. It offers outstanding length as well as purity in a more linear, structured style than the brawnier 1998, although my impression is that the 1999 will prove to be the more complex as well as age-worthy wine. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web February 2006 Levels of Greatness ------------------------------------------ I think the best wines in the tasting were at the Col d'Orcia table. The 1997 Brunello Riserva is a vintage legends are made of. Powerful and spectacular, it should be on every oenophile's Xmas list. ------------------------------------------ Restaurant Wine February 1, 2006 ***** Star Listings ------------------------------------------ Outstanding Brunello Riserva, that is very complex in character, richly flavored (roasted nut, new oak, black currant, and cherry), and firm and long on the palate, with a mildly tannic finish. ------------------------------------------ Vinography: A Wine Blog January 25, 2006 9 The Best of Brunello: Thoughts on the 2001 Vintage ------------------------------------------ Wine Advocate April 29, 2005 92 Points ------------------------------------------ Col d'Orcia continues to turn out the best wines of any of the larger houses of Montalcino. 1997 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento is, as always, one of the last wines of the appellation to be released, and demonstrates the virtues, but also the limits, of the vintage. The garnet color is dark but beginning to mature, the nose of plums, truffles, and Mediterranean brush expansive and classic, and the palate is broad, very solid, firm and meaty on the flow and finish and with ample power in reserve. Drink 2005-2017 ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast April 2005 91 Points Buying Guide - Cellar Selection ------------------------------------------ Col d'Orcia's flagship wine is this single vineyard riserva, a very fine wine, combining black cherry fruit with complex elements of earth, tobacco, cedar and dried spices. The lush, creamy texture flows seamlessly into a long, silky finish. Should age gracefully for another 10-15 years. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web March 2005 Levels of Greatness ------------------------------------------ The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino showed off the wines of over 40 Brunello producers. There were too many wines plus a few grappas to taste within a few hours, but I made a valiant effort. But I think the best tasting were at the Col d'Orcia table. The 1997 Brunello Riserva is a vintage legends are made of. Powerful and spectacular, it should be on every oenophile's Xmas list. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator December 31, 2004 95 Points A Classic-Scoring Release of 2004 ------------------------------------------ Forbes December 8, 2004 Executive Gift Guide: Intoxicating Luxury Gifts ------------------------------------------ Most fine red wine is drunk far too young - Brunellos of the super 1997 vintage are increasingly scarce - so to find older vintages of the superb wines of Col d'Orcia is a real treat. These Brunellos are at their peak now and show the sorts of multilayered complexity unimaginable in younger wines. They will impress even the most jaded fan of vino Italiano. ------------------------------------------ Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines November 2004 Named Best Red Wine of Italy ------------------------------------------ In 2005 edition of Gambero Rosso/Slow Food Annual Guide to Italian Wines ------------------------------------------ Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines October 23, 2004 2005 Tre Bicchieri ("Three Glasses") Selections Include Ten Top Wines from Palm Bay Imports ------------------------------------------ Also named BEST RED WINE OF ITALY 2005 ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator October 15, 2004 95 Points Highly Recommended ------------------------------------------ Spectator Selections From This Issue's Buying Guide. Rich Italian red filled with berry, plum and roasted fruit flavors. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. ------------------------------------------ Wine & Spirits April 2004 92 Points ------------------------------------------

Rating

Wine Spectator 93 points (Jul 25 2012) Effusive aromas of ripe cherry, plum tart and cedar lead Beginning to show the mellow cherry, mushroom, cigar box and complex spice aromas and flavors that mature Brunello is known for. Still needs time for the dense tannins to assimilate, and the finish is long. Best from 2015 through 2032.—B.S.

Wine maker notes

The finest grape bunches are rigorously selected during hand-harvesting. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks at controlled temperatures below 30ºC. After 20 days, the wine is transferred to Slavonian and French oak casks to age for a period of four years, followed by further refinement in the bottle for 18 months prior to release.

Technical notes

14.3% abv

Food pairing

A perfect accompaniment to pâtés, foie gras, grilled fish steaks and roasts.