Tenuta IL Poggione

Tenuta IL Poggione is an estate in the Montalcino DOCG appellation of Tuscany, particularly known for its rich, dense Brunello wines balancing ripe fruit, savoury elements and a classic structure. They are considered to be some of the greatest wines produced in Italy, and the 2010 vintage ranked #4 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2015.

The estate covers 600 hectares (1480 acres), with 125ha (309 acres) planted to vines. A new winery was built in 2004, but winemaking is a mix of modernity and tradition with a focus on larger French oak barrels aged in underground cellars. The standard Brunello is aged for three years in French oak barrels of 300-500 liters.

The Riserva Vigna Paganelli is only produced in the best years from the oldest vineyard on the estate, planted in 1964. It is aged in the same way but for an extra year. Material from the Paganelli vines are used for any new plantings. The younger Brunello vines – less than 20 years old – provide the fruit for the Rosso di Montalcino, which is aged for 12 months in oak.

Il Poggione makes a range of wines outside of the Brunello DOCG as well, including a Cabernet – Sangiovese blend and a Merlot – Sangiovese blend under the IGT Toscana designation, and a vin santo called Sant'Antimo.

The estate was founded in the late 19th Century by Lavinio Franceschi, a landowner on the hills above Florence, who bought land and began planting Sangiovese vineyards and introducing modern farming methods. Il Poggione remains owned by his descendents.