THIS WEEK'S TASTING FLIGHT:

Poggio Bonelli

A Journey from Chianti Tradition to Tuscan Power

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2026!

We’re entering the year with renewed excitement and intention - and, as stewards for your wine journey, using January as a time to reflect, plan, and thoughtfully curate the experiences ahead. Behind the scenes, we’re shaping a calendar of tastings and special programming designed to invite deeper exploration, celebrate great producers, and create more meaningful ways to engage with the wines we love.

This week’s flight sets the tone. From Chianti Tradition to Tuscan Power, our Poggio Bonelli tasting explores the expressive range of one historic Tuscan estate, tracing a clear progression from classic Chianti Classico through deeper, more structured bottlings. The flight is $23 for three wines, with the option to add a fourth, more powerful expression for $7 more ($30 total) to experience the full arc of the estate.

This Week’s Featured Wines:

Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico DOCG 2022

• A fresh, savory expression of Sangiovese, offering vibrant acidity, red fruit, and classic Chianti structure.

Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2019

• More concentrated and layered, with extended aging bringing depth, fine-grained tannins, and warm spice.

Poggio Bonelli “Poggiassai” Toscana IGT 2018

• A bold, polished blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, bridging tradition with modern Tuscan power.

Optional Bonus Pour | Poggio Bonelli “Tramonto d’Oca” Toscana IGT 2019

• A rare, single-varietal Petit Verdot—deep, structured, and unapologetically powerful.

Looking ahead to 2026, you’ll begin to see a more forward view into upcoming flights, an expanded Masterclass series building on last year’s success, and new ways to engage with our curated selections. We’ll also be inviting your thoughts and perspective in the coming weeks - an opportunity to help guide how we continue to refine and evolve our offerings throughout the year.

January can also be a time for more mindful sipping... to "reset & refresh". This month, our tasting room will feature a non-alcoholic wine option, alongside a hand-selected collection of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol bottles chosen for quality, balance, and genuine drinkability (each wine was "Ali-Approved" during her pregnancy!). Check out our Mindful Sipping collection online →

However you choose to begin the year, diving deep or sipping thoughtfully, we’re honored to guide the journey ahead!

Cheers,

Mark & the Petit Philippe team

GET LIT: Charlotte

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 @ 6 PM

Join us for an evening of wine, words, and community at Petit Philippe, in partnership with Get Lit: Charlotte and Park Road Books. Get Lit: Charlotte brings together curious readers and passionate wine lovers for a relaxed, inspired night featuring thoughtfully selected wines from Petit Philippe alongside a cozy, literary atmosphere.

Sip seasonal wines while exploring great conversation and curated book picks: the perfect pairing for winter nights. Whether you’re looking to discover your next favorite read, meet fellow book lovers, or simply enjoy a glass in good company, this event is designed to elevate your week.

📍 Petit Philippe | 4001 Park Road

📅 Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 @ 6 PM

🍷 Wine by Petit Philippe

📚 Books by Lit Park Road Books

→ Reserve your tickets

VOICES OF BRUNELLO

Winterfest Tasting

Our grand invitation drops this week!

Hosted with:

Le Ragnaie

with Riccardo Campinoti

and acclaimed singer:

Ms. Melinda Whittington

Thursday, January 29, 2026 @ 6:30 PM

Join us on Thursday evening, January 29, 2026, we welcome Riccardo Campinoti, owner and winemaker of Le Ragnaie, for an intimate celebration of Brunello di Montalcino at its most honest and expressive.

Le Ragnaie stands among the most respected estates in Montalcino, revered for its transparent style, high-elevation vineyards, and unwavering commitment to purity and place. Riccardo will guide us through a compelling lineup of Brunello wines, sharing the philosophy, vineyards, and vintage character that have made Le Ragnaie a benchmark for lovers of traditional Brunello.

The evening will feature a thoughtfully paired menu designed to complement the wines, alongside a live musical performances by Ms. Melinda Whittington, pairing Italian opera, pop, and folk classics. A Davidson-based acclaimed vocalist, Melinda has performed coast to coast, from San Francisco Opera and Minneapolis to New York City, and alongside international artists including Andrea Bocelli.

This will be a limited-guest experience, focused on great wine, great food, and beautiful music.

→ Reserve your tickets

Poggio Bonelli

Chianti Classico DOCG 2022

Tuscany • Italy

$30 retail

A genuine, estate-driven expression of Chianti Classico that highlights the purity and structure of Sangiovese from Castelnuovo Berardenga. Firmly rooted in tradition yet polished by careful élevage, this bottling delivers depth and character while maintaining freshness and approachability—an ideal starting point for Poggio Bonelli’s journey from classic to powerful Tuscan wines.

Varietals & Vinification:

90% Sangiovese with 10% complementary varieties permitted by Chianti Classico regulations, sourced from a south-facing hillside vineyard in Castelnuovo Berardenga at approximately 280 meters above sea level. Fermented traditionally in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures (26–28°C), with frequent daily pumpovers and extended maceration on the skins. The wine is aged for 10 months in second- and third-use French oak barrels, followed by an additional 3 months in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes:

Deep, dense ruby red in the glass. Aromas of wild berries, sour black cherry, thyme, and subtle leather emerge with clarity and depth. On the palate, the wine is dry and structured, with bold Sangiovese character softened by a delicate touch of French oak. Fresh acidity and fine tannins carry through to a savory, balanced finish.

A classic, food-friendly Chianti Classico, well suited to cold cuts, grilled meats, and medium-aged cheeses.

Bring a Bottle Home →

Poggio Bonelli

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2019

Tuscany • Italy

$45 retail

A more concentrated, authoritative expression of Chianti Classico, the Riserva showcases Poggio Bonelli’s finest Sangiovese with greater depth, structure, and aging potential. Drawn exclusively from the estate’s best fruit and shaped by extended élevage, it represents the bridge between classic Chianti tradition and the broader power of Tuscany.

Varietals & Vinification:

Produced from 100% Sangiovese, selected from the estate’s top vineyard parcels in Castelnuovo Berardenga, with yields limited to enhance concentration. Vinified traditionally over a 20-day fermentation and maceration period, followed by at least 21 months of aging in small French oak barrels. After bottling, the wine rests for an additional three months in bottle prior to release, allowing the structure and aromatics to harmonize.

Tasting Notes:

Deep ruby red in color with an expressive bouquet of ripe red and dark fruit layered with cinnamon, clove, and floral notes of wisteria. The palate is dry, assertive, and well-defined, offering firm structure, fine-grained tannins, and a lingering fruity core. Balanced and powerful, this is a classic Chianti Classico Riserva suited to grilled and roasted meats, hearty Tuscan dishes, and mature cheeses.

Bring a Bottle Home →

Poggio Bonelli

'Poggiassai' Toscana IGT Blend 2018

Tuscany • Italy

$49 retail

A bold, modern Tuscan expression that pushes beyond Chianti Classico tradition into deeper structure and complexity. 'Poggiassai' marries Sangiovese’s savory core with Cabernet Sauvignon’s breadth and polish, delivering a wine of personality and power. 

Varietals & Vinification:

A blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from a south-west–facing hillside vineyard in Castelnuovo Berardenga at approximately 250 meters above sea level. Fermented traditionally in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures (28–30°C) for around 10 days, followed by extended maceration on the skins for approximately 20 days to build depth and structure. The wine is aged for 16–18 months in small French oak barrels, then rested for an additional 6 months in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes:

Intense ruby red in color, with an expressive nose of red fruits layered with mushroom, tobacco, pepper, and dark chocolate. The palate is soft yet powerful, offering a lavish, well-structured texture supported by ripe, balanced tannins. Rich without excess weight, 'Poggiassai' maintains freshness and composure through the finish, making it a compelling match for grilled or roasted red meats and medium to mature cheeses - a confident expression of Tuscan power.

Bring a Bottle Home →

*OPTIONAL BONUS POUR*

Poggio Bonelli

'Tramonto d'Oca' Toscana IGT Petit Verdot 2019

Tuscany • Italy

$55 retail

A commanding, singular expression of Tuscan power, Tramonto d’Oca showcases Poggio Bonelli at its most ambitious. Made entirely from Petit Verdot (a grape typically reserved for blending), this rare bottling benefits from a unique vineyard site that allows full ripening and is crafted with the same exacting standards applied to the estate’s flagship wines, resulting in a powerful, yet balanced wine.

Varietals & Vinification:

Produced from 100% Petit Verdot, sourced from a south-facing hillside vineyard in Castelnuovo Berardenga at approximately 280 meters above sea level. Fermented traditionally in stainless steel vats at strictly controlled temperatures (up to 28–30°C), followed by extended maceration on the skins for 18–20 days to extract structure and depth. The wine is aged for 16–18 months in small French oak barrels, then rested for an additional 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes:

Ruby red with garnet reflections, offering an intense and persistent bouquet of red fruit preserves, pepper, and cinnamon, layered with notes of tobacco, cocoa, burnt earth, and leather. The palate is powerful and structured, driven by firm tannins and a warm, savory core that carries through the finish. A bold, contemplative wine best suited to grilled red meats, game, and mature cheeses.

Bring a Bottle Home →

Reset & Refresh Pick

Mindful Sipping | Non-Alcoholic

Von Schleinitz

VS 'Zéro' Blanc de Blancs Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine

Mosel • Germany

$27 retail

Blanc de Blancs-style alcohol-removed sparkling wine, created from grapes specifically harvested in Kobern, Northern Mosel, Germany for non-alcoholic wine.

Varietals: 40% Riesling, 15% Muskateller, 15% Müller-Thurgau, 15% Bacchus, 15% Scheurebe

Crafted from carefully selected grapes grown in Kobern, in Germany’s northern Mosel, this wine is made with the specific intention of producing a high-quality alcohol-free expression. Grapes are harvested early, at Kabinett-level ripeness, to create a naturally low-alcohol base wine, then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel.

Alcohol is gently removed using single-pass vacuum distillation, a process that preserves the wine’s natural aromatics and character. A final adjustment of residual sugar ensures balance and freshness before bottling.

Tasting Notes: Juicy flavors reminiscent of peach and apple, sprinkled with the typical slate minerality of the Mosel Valley. Straightforward and refreshing, it is slightly sweet with crisp, balanced acidity.

Petit Philippe NA Review: The Riesling-dominant blend gives this high-quality non-alcoholic sparkling a rich mouth-feel and texture that still maintains the bright acidity and crisp minerality the Mosel region is known for. While it does have a light natural sweetness, it's still a very balanced, dry representation of the Blanc de Blancs style with refreshing bubbles that make this an elegant NA alternative.

Bring a Bottle Home →

Producer Deep Dive: Poggio Bonelli

Castelnuovo Beradenga, Tuscany | Italy

Situated in the southern reaches of Chianti Classico, near the historic village of Castelnuovo Berardenga (one of the stops on our Tuscany Client Tour, in fact), Poggio Bonelli is an estate defined by discipline, site specificity, and a deep respect for tradition. The property’s origins trace back centuries, but its modern identity was shaped with a clear purpose: to express the power and precision of Sangiovese through careful vineyard selection and uncompromising craftsmanship.

Poggio Bonelli’s vineyards sit on warm, well-exposed hillsides, where galestro-rich soils and ample sunlight yield wines of structure, depth, and natural balance. This southern position within Chianti Classico gives the estate a distinctive voice: one that marries ripe fruit and firm tannins with freshness and restraint.

In both vineyard and cellar, Poggio Bonelli favors a traditional, methodical approach. Low yields, meticulous grape selection, and extended macerations are paired with thoughtful aging in French oak, allowing each wine to develop complexity without masking its origin. The philosophy is consistent across the range: precision over excess, balance over flash.

While Poggio Bonelli is firmly rooted in Chianti Classico tradition, the estate has also played a quiet but important role in Tuscany’s modern evolution. Bottlings such as Poggiassai and Tramonto d’Oca explore the broader expressive potential of the region... demonstrating how international varieties and IGT classifications can coexist with, and even enhance, a deeply traditional estate identity.

Today, Poggio Bonelli stands as a compelling example of Chianti Classico’s depth and versatility. Its wines reflect not only a privileged site, but a long-standing commitment to craftsmanship.

Regional Overview: Tuscany

Italy's Historic Heartland of Wine, Landscape, and Craft

Rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, medieval villages... Tuscany is one of the world’s most recognizable wine landscapes, and one of its most influential. Stretching along Italy’s central spine, the region has shaped global ideas of fine wine for centuries, marrying agriculture, architecture, and culture into a deeply rooted way of life.

At its core, Tuscany is defined by Sangiovese, a grape uniquely sensitive to site and climate. From fresh, everyday expressions to long-lived, cellar-worthy wines, Sangiovese serves as the lens through which Tuscany expresses its remarkable diversity of soils, elevations, and microclimates.

While tradition runs deep, Tuscany has also embraced innovation. Alongside historic appellations, modern Toscana IGT wines emerged in the late 20th century, giving producers freedom to experiment with blends, aging, and international varieties - without abandoning their sense of place.

The result is a region of contrasts: heritage and evolution, restraint and power, purity and depth - all coexisting within a single landscape.

Shop Tuscan Wines →

Appellation Focus: Chianti

The Soul of Sangiovese

Situated between Florence and Siena, Chianti is Tuscany’s most iconic and historically important wine zone. Here, Sangiovese finds its most classic voice: defined by vibrant acidity, savory structure, and a balance that makes the wines as food-friendly as they are expressive.

Chianti is not a single style, but a mosaic of subzones and elevations. Cooler sites emphasize red fruit, florality, and tension, while warmer southern areas (such as Castelnuovo Berardenga) deliver deeper fruit, firmer tannins, and greater power without sacrificing freshness.

Key Classifications

• Chianti DOCG
  Produced across a broad area of Tuscany beyond the historic Classico zone, Chianti DOCG wines are designed to be approachable, food-friendly, and ready to enjoy upon release. While still rooted in Sangiovese, regulations allow for greater flexibility in sourcing and style, resulting in wines that emphasize ease, freshness, and everyday versatility.
• Chianti Classico DOCG
  Produced exclusively within the historic Chianti Classico zone between Florence and Siena and made primarily from Sangiovese, these wines must be aged a minimum of 12 months before release. The focus is on freshness, structure, and transparency... highlighting Sangiovese’s vibrant acidity, savory character, and sense of place.
• Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
  A step up in depth and complexity, Riserva wines are crafted from superior fruit and require a minimum of 24 months of aging, including time in oak and bottle. The extended maturation delivers greater concentration, firmer tannins, and more layered aromatics, resulting in wines with both immediate appeal and aging potential.
• Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
  The highest tier within Chianti Classico, Gran Selezione wines must be produced exclusively from estate-grown grapes and aged for a minimum of 30 months prior to release. These bottlings represent a producer’s most precise and expressive interpretation of site, offering the greatest depth, structure, and complexity within the appellation.
• Toscana IGT
  This flexible designation allows producers to move beyond Chianti Classico regulations... whether through the use of international varieties, alternative blends, or extended aging regimes. Toscana IGT wines often explore a broader stylistic range, from polished and modern to bold and powerful, while still reflecting Tuscany’s climate and terroir.



Why Explore Chianti

Chianti offers one of the clearest, most rewarding entry points into understanding Tuscany as a wine region. Its wines balance structure and freshness, tradition and evolution... making them both immediately enjoyable and endlessly nuanced. From classic, food-driven expressions to more ambitious, age-worthy bottlings, Chianti invites drinkers to experience how site, elevation, and winemaking choices shape Sangiovese across styles and intensity levels.

This week’s Poggio Bonelli flight traces that full arc - from Chianti tradition to Tuscan power - offering a compelling window into how one estate interprets its land through multiple lenses.

Shop Chianti Wines →

 mark@petitphilippe.com | www.petitphilippe.com

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