Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli 2016
Retail $149.99 Redneck $129.97
98pt Vinous
A beguiling mix of camphor and minty herbs, along with crushed stone, blows off slowly to reveal dark depths of black raspberry, licorice, autumnal spice and worn leather as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli unfolds in the glass. Its textures are unexpectedly soft and velvety-smooth, coupled with depths of intense red fruits that make an appearance just before a mix of brisk acids and tannins creates a more tactile and youthfully clenching expression toward the finale. This leaves the palate aching under the 2016's structural heft, yet with plenty of primary concentration to balance, as wild savory herbs and earthy mineral tones linger for up to a minute. The potential here is off the charts, but readers will need to be very patient. The Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a cru selection of old vines that refines for 48 months in large French oak barrels of 33-52 hectoliters.
97pts Wine & Spirits
This Riserva is made only in the best vintages, and the long, even growing of 2016 certainly qualifies. The fruit comes from a single vineyard planted in 1964, the old-vine depth apparent in a wine that is intensely concentrated yet never heavy. Its dark cherry and plum flavors are packed with notes of herbs and spices that ride on deep, gravelly tannins, lifted by scents of rose petal and lavender. Mouthwatering acidity propels the flavors as the wine takes on notes of graphite, tobacco and underbrush. Powerfully elegant, this is built to age.
96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is the top-shelf wine from Il Poggione, and it's a must-have bottle for those who collect wines from this celebrated estate. From an icon vintage, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a beauty. It stands at the intersection of intensity, elegance and power. The fruit is shapely and dense with plenty of blackberry and black cherry, and you also get savory touches of campfire ash, tar, licorice, ferrous earth and balsam herb. Honestly, you get it all, including that distinctive Brunello power and abundance that is not easily achieved with such careful balance. The finish is structured, fresh and long, and with more time in the glass, the leathery or savory aromas become more pronounced (as does the alcohol).
