Wine Reviews

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Poggio Doria opens with a rich blend of cherry sauce and sage complicated by hints of autumnal spices and leather. This is cool-toned and sleek with silken textures and masses of ripe red and blue fruits that swirl throughout.

The Tenute Silvio Nardi 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Poggio Doria (with just 3,500 bottles made) is a very different wine compared to the village expression from this same vintage. Whereas that wine showed more dry fruit aromas, this wine has a sweeter side with plump richness and soft tannins. It also carries more fruit weight and overall textural richness. Between the two, I recommend this one.

A round, rich version, with cherry, plum, leather and spice aromas and flavors. Tips toward the tannins in the end, where they exert themselves on the finish, yet the lasting impression is of sweet fruit and mineral, so be patient.

From a five-hectare plot in Montalcino’s remote and forested northwest where the 18th century estate is located, Poggio Dorio is suffused with sweet spice and cedar atop macerated cherry. Smooth, polished fruit juxtaposes the muscular tannins and drying oak character. At the moment, this is quite a youthful and austere mouthful yet ultimately feels equalised in its proportions. Appealing bitter orange peel and sarsaparilla add exotic intrigue. Note that Silvio Nardi abstained from producing its Manachiara cru bottling in 2019.

Fresh roses and violets with red cherries and sandalwood in both the nose and palate. It’s medium- to full-bodied and firm-tannined with a bright, racy finish. Give it three to four years to come together