Poggio al Tesoro
One of the most exciting estates to have emerged from Italy in recent...
years, Poggio al Tesoro is a 70 hectare property in Bolgheri acquired in 2002 by the Allegrini family. The first vineyard they bought, Le Sondraia, is next door to Ornellaia and was previously rented by them. It is 12 hectares in size and is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Vineyards
Most of the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit for this blend was sourced from the three hectare Via Bolgherese vineyard situated at 56 metres above sea level. Composed of coarse red sand, the soils are rich in gravel, well-drained and have a clay layer at a depth of 120cm. The planting density is 9,000 vines per hectare. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the 12 hectare Le Sondraie vineyard situated 35 metres above sea level. These soils are free-draining, a mixture of clay and sandy silt, with high levels of magnesium and iron. With a density of 7,500 vines per hectare, the vines are cordon trained and spur pruned.
Vintage Information
2011 began with a mild spring and evenly spread rainfall during the months of March and April. More frequent rains fell in June and July and fresh summer day time temperatures lasted almost up until mid-August. Even though the temperatures increased during the second half of August, the harvest presented perfectly healthy and high quality grapes with intense colours and perfumes. The hot and dry days leading up to harvest did not compromise the phenolic maturation of the grapes. Lower temperatures in September were ideal for the preservation of the aromas and acidity; important elements in the achievement of elegant, balanced and prestigious wines.
Vinification
After de-stemming and soft pressing, fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 28-30°C for 10 days. Frequent 'delestage' or rack and return, as well as punching down the cap, was used to extract good colour and ripe tannins. Post-fermentation maceration took place for 22 days, the wine was then aged in 50% new and 50% one year old French barriques for 18 months. It was released after nine months in bottle.
Tasting Notes
After just a few vintages, Sondraia has become a classic in the Bolgheri area, thanks to a style that seeks a powerful profile but with harmony and finesse. Perfectly ripe grapes and painstaking work in the cellar result in a wine with intense notes of fresh fruit and herbs which follow through on the palate, where the wine opens up with great class and silky smoothness.
Vintage Information
| Vintage | 2011 |
| Grape varieties | 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc |
| Region | Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany |
| Winemaker | Nicola Biasi and Lorenzo Fortini |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 14% |
| Acidity | 5.7g/l |
| Residual Sugar | 1.8g/l |
| Wine pH | 3.65 |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.