97 Points James Suckling
A very juicy wine with aromas and flavours of raspberries, cherries, cranberries, orange peel and flowers. It is medium-bodied with firm, velvety tannins that extend over the entire length of the wine and a clean finish.
96 Points Decanter
This beautiful 2019 emerges from the glass showing mineral flint notes and white pepper first, then arbutus and cherry, followed by orange and hyacinth. It is elegant with an abundance of tangy cranberry and ripe strawberry flavours flowing in a steady stream across the palate. Stony tannins and steely acidity add tension. Tarragon lingers.
96 Points Vinous
The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna il Poggio is a powerful, tight-knit wine that will need a few more years to show its best side. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle any time soon. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint, orange peel and spices hint at a flavoursome, vibrant Il Poggio made for the cellar. Today, the 2019 is deceptive, but there is a lot of potential in it. It's a super-classic expression.
96 Points Wine Spectator
The aromas of earth and wild herbs give way to flavours of cherries, strawberries and pomegranates in this muscular version. Tar, earth, iron and sanguine elements intermingle, giving the wine depth and a tenacity that needs a few more years to refine. The core of ripe fruit reveals the future promise of this red wine." Wine Spectator
94 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Castello di Monsanto 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio offers a twofold approach with plenty of fresh cherry fruit and blueberry on the one hand, countered by light age and spice from balanced winemaking on the other. There are subtle hints of clove and toasted spice on the mid-weight close.
Vineyard Notes:
It was Il Poggio vineyard, way back in 1962, that heralded the start of Castello di Monsanto’s journey in wine production, with the first harvest presided over by founding father Fabrizio Bianchi. Still to this day the company’s most iconic bottle, Il Poggio is the first Chianti Classico to feature the name of the specific vineyard that produces it. White grapes were removed from the recipe in 1968. Il Poggio is the source – thanks to massal selection – of all the Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo plants in the company’s other vineyards. Over 100,00 bottles have been produced, all of them spending time aging in the castle’s historic cellar, illustrating the wine’s stunning aging capacity.
