San Polo, Brunello di Montalcino `Podernovi`
Vintage: 2015
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | SP606W15 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
San Polo was purchased by Marilisa Allegrini in 2006 after several years spent searching for a suitable property in Montalcino. Located in the eastern part of the region, the estate covers 22 hectares, with 16 hectares under vine. The vineyards lie between 400 and 450 metres above sea level on poor, stony soils composed mainly of galestro (schistous clay), which naturally limit yields and suit the production of high-quality Sangiovese. Detailed parcel mapping allows each vineyard to be managed individually to maximise the potential of this distinctive site.
The estate produces classic Montalcino wines with slightly more weight than those from the northern part of the appellation. Today, the property is run by Marilisa and her daughters, Carlotta and Caterina, with a focus on precise winemaking and sustainability. As part of this vision, the winery has been certified sustainable by CasaClima since 2013, organic since 2017 and vegan-certified since 2019.
The Brunello di Montalcino shows the hallmarks of the region’s modern style, with ripe fruit, cedar notes, fine-grained tannins and impressive length. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva offers greater depth and demonstrates the estate’s standing within the region. Two additional Brunello wines are produced only in the best vintages. ‘Podernovi’, from a single vineyard, is an energetic and elegant expression from one of Montalcino’s most recognised sites. ‘Vignavecchia’ hails from 30–40-year-old vines in a west-facing vineyard planted on galestro soils and is intense, complex and suited to long ageing. The Rosso di Montalcino offers excellent depth and approachability, while ‘Rubio’, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, is fragrant and supple.
Vineyards
The Podernovi vineyard is a three hectare single vineyard site with excellent south-east exposition situated at 450 metres above sea level. Here, the vines planted in 1990, have found their perfect habitat with a soil rich in galestro and minerals, with a good presence of clay, giving grapes that are extremely concentrated.
Vintage
One of the best vintages in the last twenty years. The entire growing cycle of the vine took place under the best possible conditions. A cold winter with frequent heavy rainfall and low temperatures gave way to a dry spring with temperatures slightly above average, enabling uniform bud burst and perfect flowering. Showers in the summer months were scarce but fortunately heavy, which made it possible to carry out sustainable and environmentally friendly pest and disease management. Hot, sunny days with excellent day-night temperature variations enabled the bunches to achieve ideal ripening by the end of September: the berries were perfectly healthy, and acidity was high, despite elevated sugar concentration. The harvest of Sangiovese, which ended by the end of the month, delivered perfectly healthy grapes with a very thick skin, a prerequisite for long macerations and for wines with great ageing potential.
Vinification
Harvest was carried out by hand. On arrival at the winery, the grapes were carefully sorted and then softly pressed. Fermentation took place in 25 hectolitre Slavonian oak vats at temperatures of up to 30°C for about 30 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in 20 hectolitre casks. The wine was aged for 30 months in lightly toasted 40 hectolitre casks. Finally, the wine rested in bottle for six months before release.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
In the glass, this wine is ruby red with light garnet reflections. The nose is enticing with floral aromas of violet, cyclamen and jasmine, along with notes of fresh fruit and spicy hints. On the palate, it is well balanced, with good structure, bright acidity and silky tannins. The finish is long and lingering.
Alcohol (ABV)
14.5%
Acidity
5.9 g/l
Residual Sugar
1 g/l
pH
3.49
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Polo | Rosso di Montalcino | SP601 | R | Factsheet | |
| Brunello di Montalcino | SP602 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Rubio | SP604 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Brunello di Montalcino Riserva | SP605 | R | Factsheet | ||
| Brunello di Montalcino `Vignavecchia` | SP607 | R | Factsheet |