95pt Poggio Al Tesoro Sondraia 2013

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Not content with producing some of the world's best Amarone, the Allegrini family are now making some of Italy's best Super-Tuscan wines!

Inspired by the quality potential and value that the Bolgheri region offered, in 2002 the Allegrinis founded the Poggio al Tesoro estate, buying the Le Sondraie vineyard - not only next door to Ornellaia, but previously rented by them and used in their wines.

Since then the estate has scaled ever greater heights, with the Sondraia, their classic Super-Tuscan blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, leading the way.

The 2013 Sondraia was a great success. Described by Jancis Robinson as, “Bordeaux with a Milanese designer makeover”, this rich, powerful Super-Tuscan is full of Bordeaux elegance but with a definite Italian flair and style.

It’s an absolute beauty, highly rated by the critics and Vivino reviewers, with a 4.1 score from over 700 ratings - and yet despite the quality it remains brilliant value.

In a region where the wines often top £50 and Ornellaia, the next-door neighbour, sells for north of £100, the Sondraia is a very generous £31.75!

About the wine

Sondraia is one of the star wines of Bolgheri. Perfectly ripe grapes and painstaking work in the cellar yields a wine with intense notes of fresh fruit - blackcurrant, black cherry and plum - mingled with spice and herbal notes that help to give the wine complexity. The pure, deep fruit carries onto the palate where the wine opens up with great class and silky smoothness. Full-bodied, powerful and plush, fine tannin and a good acidity combine to balance the wine. With a long, elegant finish, full of spice and herbs, this is a great Super-Tuscan that can hold its own with the big boys!

After harvest the grapes are de-stemmed and soft pressed with fermentation taking place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for twelve days. There is frequent ‘rack and return’, as well as punching down of the cap to extract good colour and ripe tannins. The wine was aged in 50% new and 50% one-year-old French 225 litre barriques for 18 months, followed by 9 months in bottle before release. 

Winemaker: Lorenzo Fortini
Appellation: DOC Bolgheri Superiore

Accolades:
- 95pts, James Suckling
- 93pts, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
- 92pts, Wine Spectator
- 17/20pts, Jancis Robinson
- 4.1/5 Stars, Vivino Rating 

Grapes: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Vineyard: Via Bolgherese and Le Sondraie
Cooperage: 18 months in French oak 50% new
ABV: 15%
Drink: 2018-2028

About the winery

One of the most exciting estates to have emerged from Italy in recent years, Poggio al Tesoro is a 70-hectare property in Bolgheri, purchased in 2002 by the Allegrini family. The first vineyard they bought, Le Sondraie, 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.

About the vineyard

Most of the cabernet sauvignon fruit for Sondraia was sourced from the three hectare Via Bolgherese vineyard, situated at 56 meters 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 120 centimeters.

Merlot, cabernet franc and the remaining cabernet sauvignon was sourced from the 12 hectare Le Sondraie vineyard, situated at 35 meters above sea level. These soils are free-draining, a mixture of clay and sandy silt, with high levels of magnesium and iron.

95 Points - James Suckling
"Fantastic aromas of blackberry, black currant and fresh herbs. Lots of rosemary. Full body, yet firm and polished. Very balanced and silky. Love the harmony in this. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc."

93 Points - Monica Larner
"The 2013 Bolgheri Superiore Sondraia is...dark and luscious with generous blackberry fruit at the top. As you dig deeper, this wine begins to show nuances of exotic spice and grilled herb with dark mineral and tar at the back. The results are well proportioned and balanced."

17/20 Points - Jancis Robinson
"Pretty snazzy and smart. Nothing in the wrong place. Smells very luxurious! Bordeaux with a Milanese designer makeover. Pretty scrummy."

 

"Wonderful wine, fine fruits along some licorice and balsamic nuances, herbs and long finish. A medium to full bodied wine which is nice along red meat or by the glass"  4/5 Stars

"Super Tuscan from Bolgheri. Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Black currant, ripe black cherries on the nose, rich , balanced palate, delicious"  4.5/5 Stars

"Super Tuscan for an unbelievable price. Coming from the same area as Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Guado al Tasso. The quality of this wine blows me away"  4.5/5 Stars

"Really beautiful super Tuscan, powerful, fruity, smooth and full bodied but well balanced and with a nice finish. Will probably be even better after some time."  4.5/5 Stars