The estate’s 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio Banale is awesome. This dark, concentrated Riserva bursts from the glass with an array of ripe dark fruit, smoke, tar and licorice. The French oak is very nicely balanced, something that hasn’t always been the case. To be sure, this is an opulent Brunello, in keeping with the style of the vintage, but La Poderina and oenologist Lorenzo Landi have done a superb job balancing all of the elements in this Riserva. The hard, aggressive tannins that plague so many 2003s may be present, but if they are, they are buried under a mountain of fruit. My suggestion is to enjoy this Brunello with a rare grilled steak, a match made in heaven. The Poggio Banale sees 12 months in French oak tonneaux followed by a further 12 months in cask. It is a magnificent effort! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2023. This year the highlights at La Poderina are without question the Brunellos. In particular, I was deeply impressed by the 2003 Riserva Poggio Banale, which is a phenomenal effort in this torrid vintage. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

Flowers, fresh mushroom and berries on the nose follow through to a full body, with pretty fruit and fine tannins. But finishes slightly one-dimensional. Very good, but needs more depth. Drink now. 670 cases made, 200 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add