Castello di Montepo Poggio Ferro 2020
Introduction
This exceptional red wine stands as the ultimate expression of Sangiovese Grosso at Jacopo Biondi Santi’s Castello di Montepò estate in the Maremma. Poggio Ferro, or "Iron Hill," is a single-vineyard Cru named for its reddish, iron-rich galestro soils and its harsh, windswept location. Selected through painstaking micro-zonation studies, this plot is situated at 322–345 meters above sea level with a full southern exposure. It is a stressful environment for the vines, where strong winds from the Mediterranean constantly buffer the fruit, resulting in thicker skins and lower yields. Unlike its "Super Tuscan" siblings that embrace French varietals, Poggio Ferro is a return to pure Tuscan roots, showcasing the family's exclusive BBS11 clone in its most raw, powerful, and mineral-driven form.
Wine Description
Castello di Montepò Poggio Ferro 2020 displays a luminous, deep ruby red colour with garnet highlights. The nose is profound and brooding, characterized by the "ferrous" minerality that gives the vineyard its name, intermingled with intense aromas of blood orange, dried rose petals, and wild sour cherries. As it opens, it reveals complex layers of aromatic herbs, slate, and a whisper of white pepper. On the palate, the wine is statuesque and vibrant; it possesses a vertical structure defined by nervous, salty acidity and tannins that are firm yet ultra-fine—often described as "iron wrapped in silk." It lacks the fleshy softness of Merlot, offering instead a savory, tension-filled experience with a finish that is interminable and deeply spicy. This 100% Sangiovese Grosso (BBS11) typically has an ABV of 14.5%. Distinct from the estate's other crus, it is not aged in barriques; instead, it matures for 24 months in large 28.5 hl Slavonian oak casks to preserve the varietal's integrity, followed by 16 months of bottle refinement. The optimal drinking window is significant, easily spanning 20 to 30 years.
Accolades
The 2020 vintage of Poggio Ferro has been hailed as a masterpiece of varietal definition. It received 98 Points from The Tasting Panel (Jonathan Cristaldi), who described it as a "statuesque, radiant showstopper" with "tremendous staying power." It was also awarded 97 Points by Decanter, with critics noting its "poetic definition" and the unique interplay between the harsh terroir and the elegance of the wine. It is widely considered one of the most collectable and age-worthy Sangiovese wines produced in the Maremma.
Introduction
This exceptional red wine stands as the ultimate expression of Sangiovese Grosso at Jacopo Biondi Santi’s Castello di Montepò estate in the Maremma. Poggio Ferro, or "Iron Hill," is a single-vineyard Cru named for its reddish, iron-rich galestro soils and its harsh, windswept location. Selected through painstaking micro-zonation studies, this plot is situated at 322–345 meters above sea level with a full southern exposure. It is a stressful environment for the vines, where strong winds from the Mediterranean constantly buffer the fruit, resulting in thicker skins and lower yields. Unlike its "Super Tuscan" siblings that embrace French varietals, Poggio Ferro is a return to pure Tuscan roots, showcasing the family's exclusive BBS11 clone in its most raw, powerful, and mineral-driven form.
Wine Description
Castello di Montepò Poggio Ferro 2020 displays a luminous, deep ruby red colour with garnet highlights. The nose is profound and brooding, characterized by the "ferrous" minerality that gives the vineyard its name, intermingled with intense aromas of blood orange, dried rose petals, and wild sour cherries. As it opens, it reveals complex layers of aromatic herbs, slate, and a whisper of white pepper. On the palate, the wine is statuesque and vibrant; it possesses a vertical structure defined by nervous, salty acidity and tannins that are firm yet ultra-fine—often described as "iron wrapped in silk." It lacks the fleshy softness of Merlot, offering instead a savory, tension-filled experience with a finish that is interminable and deeply spicy. This 100% Sangiovese Grosso (BBS11) typically has an ABV of 14.5%. Distinct from the estate's other crus, it is not aged in barriques; instead, it matures for 24 months in large 28.5 hl Slavonian oak casks to preserve the varietal's integrity, followed by 16 months of bottle refinement. The optimal drinking window is significant, easily spanning 20 to 30 years.
Accolades
The 2020 vintage of Poggio Ferro has been hailed as a masterpiece of varietal definition. It received 98 Points from The Tasting Panel (Jonathan Cristaldi), who described it as a "statuesque, radiant showstopper" with "tremendous staying power." It was also awarded 97 Points by Decanter, with critics noting its "poetic definition" and the unique interplay between the harsh terroir and the elegance of the wine. It is widely considered one of the most collectable and age-worthy Sangiovese wines produced in the Maremma.
Description
Introduction
This exceptional red wine stands as the ultimate expression of Sangiovese Grosso at Jacopo Biondi Santi’s Castello di Montepò estate in the Maremma. Poggio Ferro, or "Iron Hill," is a single-vineyard Cru named for its reddish, iron-rich galestro soils and its harsh, windswept location. Selected through painstaking micro-zonation studies, this plot is situated at 322–345 meters above sea level with a full southern exposure. It is a stressful environment for the vines, where strong winds from the Mediterranean constantly buffer the fruit, resulting in thicker skins and lower yields. Unlike its "Super Tuscan" siblings that embrace French varietals, Poggio Ferro is a return to pure Tuscan roots, showcasing the family's exclusive BBS11 clone in its most raw, powerful, and mineral-driven form.
Wine Description
Castello di Montepò Poggio Ferro 2020 displays a luminous, deep ruby red colour with garnet highlights. The nose is profound and brooding, characterized by the "ferrous" minerality that gives the vineyard its name, intermingled with intense aromas of blood orange, dried rose petals, and wild sour cherries. As it opens, it reveals complex layers of aromatic herbs, slate, and a whisper of white pepper. On the palate, the wine is statuesque and vibrant; it possesses a vertical structure defined by nervous, salty acidity and tannins that are firm yet ultra-fine—often described as "iron wrapped in silk." It lacks the fleshy softness of Merlot, offering instead a savory, tension-filled experience with a finish that is interminable and deeply spicy. This 100% Sangiovese Grosso (BBS11) typically has an ABV of 14.5%. Distinct from the estate's other crus, it is not aged in barriques; instead, it matures for 24 months in large 28.5 hl Slavonian oak casks to preserve the varietal's integrity, followed by 16 months of bottle refinement. The optimal drinking window is significant, easily spanning 20 to 30 years.
Accolades
The 2020 vintage of Poggio Ferro has been hailed as a masterpiece of varietal definition. It received 98 Points from The Tasting Panel (Jonathan Cristaldi), who described it as a "statuesque, radiant showstopper" with "tremendous staying power." It was also awarded 97 Points by Decanter, with critics noting its "poetic definition" and the unique interplay between the harsh terroir and the elegance of the wine. It is widely considered one of the most collectable and age-worthy Sangiovese wines produced in the Maremma.
