Poggio Bonelli
95 - CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2015
Offers enticing aromas of black cherry, leather, tobacco, iron and earth. Well-structured and full of ripe fruit, this builds to a vibrant, tannic nish, with a lingering aftertaste of iron, cherry and leather. Should develop beautifully. Best from 2020 through 2032. From Italy.—B.S
94 - POGGIASSAI ROSSO IGT 2012
A head-turner, this grabs your attention with black currant and black cherry fruit, accented by violet and sweet oak. As effusive as this is up front, it's a bit reticent on the finish. Balanced overall, showing fine intensity and length, with a long, dusty aftertaste that evokes fruit, cedar and tobacco. Drink now through 2024. 700 cases made.
–BS
93 - CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2015
The nose of this Chianti Classico is really attractive from the outset with an enticing play between red plums and dried herbs. Bracken and brambleberries follow. The palate is savory and structured with chewy tannins and spot-on acidity. An intense, tangy finish. Drink now or hold.
91 - CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016
This shows plenty of dark plums, vanilla and tobacco. Full body and ripe, round tannins that manage to carve out an attractive structure, thanks to some firmness and acidity. Drink in 2020.
92 - CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2017
A fresh, fruity red with blueberries, some blackberries and hints of sage and bark. It’s medium-bodied with a lovely, integrated palate and a subtle
93 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2013
Aromas of dark berry and walnut with hints of vanilla bean follow through to a full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink now.
94 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2015
A more decadent and spicy 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva that shows loads of brambleberries, blackberries, black-cherry compote, baking spices, balsam, tea leaves and herbs. Full body, ripe and structured tannins, some pretty acidity and a long, chewy finish. Drink in 2022.
93 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2016
A meaty Chianti Classico Riserva that displays undergrowth, red-cherry cake, earth and brambles. Full- bodied and quite chewy, this wine’s
strong suit is its wealth of dried red fruit and juicy acidity, as well as tannin combination. Drink from 2021.
92 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2017
Red berries with bark, mushroom and tile undertones on the nose, following through to a full to medium body with fine tannins and a succulent, savory finish. Drink now.
94 - POGGIASSAI ROSSO IGT 2012
A big and juicy wine yet remains tactile and vivid. Full and silky with plenty of ripe fruit and flavor. Drink or hold.
93 - POGGIASSAI ROSSO IGT 2013
A dense and velvety red with dark berry, hints of vanilla and a chocolate undertone. Full body, lovely texture and a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.
94 - POGGIASSAI ROSSO IGT 2015
I love the intensity to this with dark cherries, nutmeg, licorice, vanilla and walnuts. Full-bodied and decadent, yet the acidity steers the ripe fruit through to a mineral, tangy finish that’s long and chewy. Best ever from here.
90 - VILLA CHIGI CHIANTI DOCG 2017
Loads of dried red plums and cherry compote to this red, in addition to cloves and cedar. Medium to full body, round tannins and a fruit-driven finish. Drink now.
90 - CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2015
The 2015 Chianti Classico is a stylish and contemporary wine with dark concentration and broad appeal. It sees 90% Sangiovese blended with 10% Merlot. It delivers its intensity with force across the board with a lasting and generous disposition. The wine reveals aromas of dark cherry and prune with spice, tobacco and Spanish cedar. The oak impact is strong and needs a year or so to better integrate. If you are looking for a soft and rich value wine to pair with steak or pork chops, this wine is up to the task for sure. Some 50,000 bottles were produced.
91 - CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016
Here's a great, easy-drinking wine from beautiful Tuscany. The 2016 Chianti Classico is a full and generous wine from a classic vintage. The wine is streamlined and elegant, but this Sangiovese-based red wine has intense fruit and oak spice in equal measure.
93 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2013
Poggio Bonelli hits a home run with this vintage. The 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva is a dark and luscious red wine that oozes power, depth and concentration that represents the far side of the Sangiovese spectrum. The grape often delivers a lighter ruby color and less heft compared to this wine. That generosity and fullness is transmitted to the bouquet where the wine offers good intensity and impressive finesse.
93 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2015
The 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva is soft, plush and rich. Once again, Poggio Bonelli has come through with a memorable Riserva that offers great intensity, a beautiful ruby color and a rich bouquet of red berries. The wine also provides some notes of smoke, spice and maybe a quick flash of tar.
92 - CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG 2016
Aged for 24 months in tonneaux, the 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva shows a very smooth and velvety quality of fruit. Lots of brooding black fruits are expertly woven into spice and savory notes of leather and moist earth. The wine shows medium intensity and build in the mouth. It's great for a Sunday pot roast. Fruit for this wine comes from the highest part of a single-vineyard parcel. Some 10,000 bottles were made.
91 - POGGIASSAI ROSSO IGT 2012
The 2012 Poggiassai is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with about 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. You can definitely make out the Cabernet component thanks to savory tones of fresh sage and inky black currant. This is a great wine that represents a noticeable jump forward in quality this vintage compared to the last time I tasted it four years ago. Pair it with steak and tangy salsa verde.