The Poggio di Sotto 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is a vintage that could have played out quite differently but was ultimately saved by underground water reserves leftover from the previous year's abundant rainfall. The 2015 growing season was quite hot, resulting in big-boned wines across the appellation, but not here. Thanks to fruit-thinning, earlier harvest times and other important farming decisions, this wine offers impressive finesse and length. It shows dark fruit, underbrush and even a hint of wild mushroom. However, you would have a hard time pegging this wine to the 2015 vintage because it feels much lighter and fresher compared to its peers. Harvest started the first week of September in 2015 and was completed quickly, within a week’s time. Local tradition dictates that olives are picked after all the grapes have come off the vines, and winemaker Leonardo Berti says, “We start picking the olives when others are still picking grapes. — Wine Advocate, Nov 2024

“There’s a leafy underbrush element to this red, punctuating the cherry, strawberry and earth flavors. Compact for now, yet balanced, with a taut, reserved finish. Offers tension and suppleness, with plenty in reserve.”
— Wine Spectator, Jun 2021