Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli 2015 – 750ml Southern Wine & Spirits

97pts Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

This single-vineyard Riserva delivers a generous, abundant and determined personality. This is Brunello with a capital B. The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli benefits from a warm and sun-soaked microclimate that is shielded from cold winter winds. You can taste the good health of the grapes thanks to those very direct aromas of black cherry, plum, tar, campfire ash and chalky mineral. The Paganelli vineyard is 12 hectares in size, with vines planted in 1964. The last time this wine was made was in 2012. Fruit from those old vines shape complex aromas, elegant tannins and bright freshness. Despite that handsome DNA, this is another new release from Il Poggione that will require more cellar age.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

Vigna Paganelli is the estate’s oldest vineyard planted in 1964, and the wine was aged for over 40 months is large French oak of various size. The 2015 Vigna Paganelli Riserva is rich with cola aromatics, licorice, and black cherry. There is a concentrated core of fruit, with vanilla and cedar. The structure is persistent with grippy tannin’s and acidity that perseveres through the darkness of the fruit. This is a luxurious wine that will need time to unravel and soften. Hold in the cellar for 3-6 years and enjoy 2024-2042.

95pts Wine Spectator

This red is subtle and laced with cherry, plum and floral notes, backed by vibrant acidity. Earth and tobacco accents add depth. It took a few moments of aeration to shake off the cobwebs, and this isn’t an expressive style, but it has its appeal. Will need time to absorb the substantial tannin’s. Best from 2025 through 2048.

93pts Wine Enthusiast

Baked plum, new leather, camphor and scorched earth aromas waft out of the glass on this powerfully built red. Full bodied and concentrated, the dense palate delivers cherry marinated in spirits, prune, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly knit, close-grained tannin’s. You’ll also notice the heat of evident alcohol on the close but the ripe fruit supports it.

Winemaker Notes

Intense ruby red in appearance. Layered aromas of red fruit, savory spices and leather notes. The tannins are silky and the fruit comes back in multiple layers. Its long finish confirms that this wine is ready to drink now, but can be enjoyed for 20 years or more.

Pair this wine alongside red meats, game, accompanied by mushrooms or truffles, mature cheeses.