Poggio Antico

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New Vintage, New Vinification Process

The 2000 vintage was the very first one to be vinified in the new cellar wing, using the brand new temperature-controlled 80-hectoliter stainless steel, truncated-cone shaped tanks. Thanks to the high-tech characteristics of these particular tanks, which also have a completely removable lid, the “punch-down” system has been used starting from the 2000 vintage for the first time. This system has basically totally substituted the “pump-over” procedure, in order to achieve a much gentler and greater extraction, avoiding the use of pumps. This results in a much darker color and even sweeter tannins.

The New Vintages Available in 2005 and their Characteristics

1999 Brunello Riserva

In 2005 the 1999 Riserva is finally available. As everybody knows, the 1999 vintage has been compared with the famous one of 1997. At Poggio Antico we feel the 1999 Riserva is even greater than the previous one, as it combines to a larger extent great power with wonderful finesse. The 1999 Riserva shows a very intense ruby color and an attractive nose with hints of ripe red fruits, blackcurrant aromas, leather and licorice; on the palate it is big, firm, warm and very well structured, with loads of ripe fruit and an extremely long finish. By the time of its release, the 1999 Riserva has already enjoyed more than 1 ½ years of bottle aging, as it was bottled in late May 2003. Needless to say, further bottle aging is encouraged to refine this beautiful wine even more.
2000 Brunello and Altero

Finally the 2000 vintage is out! We are extremely proud of the quality obtained with this vintage. Thanks to the higher altitudes of Poggio Antico vineyards the vines were not stressed by the summer heat and could enjoy cooler night temperature excursions. Thanks to this and to the very low yields harvested, we were able to produce a very rich and fine vintage, which we personally consider one of the very best ever produced by Poggio Antico. As a matter of fact, there will also be a 2000 Brunello Riserva available next year.

Both 2000 Altero and Brunello have an intense red ruby color, an evolved and austere nose, with loads of wild red berries, black cherry, leather, tobacco and vanilla. In the mouth their structure is powerful, big, round, yet extremely velvety. Both wines have great balance, and very sweet tannins which make them silky and persistent in the finish. 2000 Altero and Brunello were bottled in January 2003 and January 2004 respectively.
2002 Madre I.G.T. Toscana Rosso

As you know, Madre was introduced in the market last year for the first time with the 2001 vintage and we are very pleased to say that it has been very well received and, thanks to its quality, it has achieved great success.

Madre’s availability is rather limited in the 2002 vintage, because of the extremely severe and particularly low yields. We remind you that Madre is packed in 6-bottle cases only.

2002 Madre is a wine we are very pleased with. It has an intense and deep ruby color, with purple reflections. In the nose it is warm, intense, with loads of black ripe and wild fruit, spices, coffee, leather and pepper. On the palate it is concentrated, round and youthful. 2002 Madre was bottled in January 2004 and - thanks to 12 months already spent in the bottle by the time of its release - it can be enjoyed immediately, or laid down for some years more.
2003 Rosso di Montalcino D.O.C.

A limited part of the crop of the 2003 vintage was used to produce the Rosso di Montalcino 2003. As you all already know, at Poggio Antico all Sangiovese vineyards are specialized for the production of Brunello di Montalcino. This is the reason why Poggio Antico’s Rosso di Montalcino is simply a younger Brunello, made with the same low yields as the ones obtained for Brunello, as well as the same vinification system. Rosso di Montalcino 2003 was refined for 12 months in 500-liter French oak tonneaux and it was bottled in late September 2004. It has a beautiful ruby red color and an attractive and intense nose of red ripe fruit; on the palate it is fresh, round and silky.

“Decanter Great Tuscan Fine Wine Encounter” in London, February 26, 2005

Thanks to the high ratings obtained by both our 1999 Brunello and Altero, the prestigious English wine magazine “Decanter” has invited Poggio Antico to participate to a very special event which involves a rather limited number of producers from Tuscany and that will take place in February in London. We are glad to inform you that we will be there

ProWein, Düsseldorf - Germany (March 6-8, 2005)

We are glad to inform that - following to the positive response obtained last year - Poggio Antico will be attending the ProWein in Düsseldorf with a little personal space co-shared with the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. See you in March then!

Vinitaly, Verona - Italy (April 7-11, 2005)

We are pleased to confirm that also this year Poggio Antico will be present with its own space at Vinitaly in Verona (April 7th-11th). As in the past editions, our position is in Building 8 (Tuscany), Stand No. E2. We look forward to welcoming you there!

"Tuscany Top 10" - Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides

Poggio Antico has been selected as one of the Top Ten Wine Houses of Tuscany with the following comment: "One of the least pretentious major Montalcino vineyards, producing a velvety Brunello that consistently wins awards."

Ratings obtained in 2004

2004 has been another year of great satisfaction for us. Thanks to the quality of our wines, we have achieved new important recognition throughout the world and, as always, we wish to share them with you. The ratings listed below are in a chronological order.

Falstaff (Austria) - March / April 2004:
This issue published the results of an extended tasting of 88 different Brunellos of the 1999 vintage. Altero was awarded 93 points and - thanks to this - was also selected amongst the “Top Wines of Brunello 1999”. The “classic” 1999 Brunello scored one of the highest ratings, as well, and got 90 points.
Wine Spectator (U.S.A.) - May 15, 2004:
1999 Altero and Brunello scored 93/100 and 92/100 points respectively. The following are Wine Spectator’s tasting notes:

Altero: “A fresh red with plenty of dried cherry and blackberry character and hints of vanilla. Full-bodied, with loads of silky tannins and a wonderful long finish of fruit and tannins. A beautiful wine. Best after 2005”.
“Classic” Brunello: “A wine plenty with ripe fruit, earth and tobacco character on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a raisiny, spicy after-taste. Best after 2006”

In Vino Veritas (Belgium) - May 2004:
More than 100 different 1999 Brunellos 1999 were tasted by this magazine’s tasting panel, but only 22 were selected. Poggio Antico’s “classic” Brunello and Altero were ranked # 5 and # 6 respectively.
Wine Enthusiast (U.S.A.) - June 2004
Our 1999 Brunello obtained a score of 94/100 points with the following notes: “The color is literally purple, while the nose is layered with toasty oak and coffee atop pound cake and berry jam. The palate is powerful yet restrained, and with a mile-long finish propped up by jackhammer tannins, you just know it’s built to last. This will drink fabulously in about six years”.
Decanter (U.K.) - August 2004
Both our wines 1999 Brunello and Altero were awarded with "Highly Recommended". Thanks to the high scores received, both these wines were listed amongst "Decanter's Top Wines of 2004" in the December issue.
International Wine Cellar by Stephen Tanzer (U.S.A.) - September/October 2004
In this issue Stephen Tanzer rated our 1999 Altero with 93+/100 points and our “classic” 1999 Brunello with 92+/100 points.
Wine Enthusiast (U.S.A.) - October 2004
In its October’s issue, our brand new wine 2001 Madre obtained a rating of 94 points and it was also chosen as an "Editor's Choice" wine. The following were the comments given: "One sniff delivers heavenly aromas of liqueur, plum and licorice. This 50/50 blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet represents the Super Tuscan concept at its best. The fruit is dynamite, the oak front and center, and the aging potential great. Hold for about five years then unleash an avalanche of class and flavor."
Wine & Spirits (U.S.A.) - Fall 2004
A score of 90 points is given to 1999 Altero.
Gambero Rosso - 2005 Wine Guide (Italy) – Issued in November 2004
The "Guida ai Vini d'Italia 2005", gave our 1999 Altero the highest recognition of the "Tre Bicchieri" (Three Glasses). Moreover, both the “classic” 1999 Brunello and the 2001 Madre were awarded with Two Red Glasses, which means that they also both made it to the finals.
I Vini di Veronelli 2005 - Wine Guide (Italy) – Issued in November 2004
Since a few years ago, Daniel Thomases has been the person in charge for reviewing the wines from Tuscany for this prestigious Italian wine guide. He rated our 1999 Altero with 93/100 points (and he also gave this wine the highest recognition of the “Three Blue Stars”), while the “classic” 1999 Brunello as well as the 2001 Madre were given Three Stars and a rating of 90 points.
Wine Enthusiast (U.S.A.) - December 2004
Thanks to the rating of 94 points, 2001 Madre was included amongst the Top 100 Wines of 2004, ranking position # 77.