The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino is a rich and luscious wine that pulls you in with the first sip. The bouquet is very fragrant and bright with a wonderful aromatic clarity that spans from red cherry to blackberry and from dark spice to grilled herb and hazel nuts. There's an impressive sense of harmony and opulence on the finish. Aged for just shy of 5 years in Slovenian oak and 8 months in bottle.

The vines of Poggio di Sotto sit on high hills overlooking the Orcia River Valley, with parcels at three different altitudes combining to make a particularly well-balanced wine. A marl soil of decomposed seashell deposits and breezes from the Monte Amiata across the valley contribute to a cool microclimate that produces a noticeably Burgundian-style Brunello. All of the grapes grown here are of the same very high quality and qualify for the Brunello appellation, so the Rosso di Montalcino is differentiated only by its vinification in stainless steel and shorter aging; in great vintages they also produce a Brunello Riserva. The stellar reputation of Poggio di Sotto is built on powerful wines that nevertheless leave the limelight to finesse and balance.