2020 ROSSO DI MONTALCINO, San Polo. Tuscany, Italy

Montalcino is a hill-top town in the warm, open country in southern Tuscany, about 45 minutes down from Siena. Although the key grape is the same as for Chianti Classico further north, the style is broader and generally richer. San Polo are in the south east of the region, not far from the famous abbey at Sant’Antimo. They have 15 hectares in total, 14 of them Sangiovese, 1 of French varieties.

100% Sangiovese, picked quite late to ensure maximum ripeness of both fruit and tannins; matured for a year in 500 litre French oak barrels (tonneaux) and much larger Slavonian oak barrels, for a year. No new wood used at all, to avoid any ‘oaky’ flavours

The estate was bought by the Allegrini family (based in Valpolicella) in 2006.
They have been certified organic since 2017.

The breadth and spice of a classic Brunello but in a soft and gentle framework, enabling it to be drunk young. It’s a (relative) bargain.