San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino 2017
Brunello is a red wine of great power and elegance, the ultimate expression of Sangiovese. In Montalcino it is characterized by its reddish-brown colour and intense aromas and flavours.
At San Polo, the Allegrini estate in Montalcino, our Brunello is the fruit of tremendous love and respect for the land and a wine based on strong ethics, quality, and sustainability.
Climate trend
Difficult vintages are said to reveal the true potential of the best terroirs, and never has this been more true than in the 2017 vintage in Montalcino. The winter was mild and very dry, as was the spring. This led to budding about two weeks earlier than normal. The frost that hit the area in the middle of April caused enormous damage across much of Europe, but thanks to the location of San Polo’s vineyards, with their southern exposure, 450-metre altitude and abundant air circulation, our vines suffered no damage. The summer that followed was marked by elevated temperatures and almost no rainfall, which created difficult conditions for the vines. Again, at this stage, we were able to appreciate the advantages of a particularly well-suited vine growing area, which treated us to daytime breezes and excellent day-night temperature variations, creating conditions that relieved the vines, which showed no symptoms of drought or heat-related stress. The rain that fell between the end of August and the beginning of September, not only restored the land’s water reserves, but it also gave the final ‘go ahead’ for the most important stage in the ripening of Sangiovese, the last month before harvesting.
91 Wine Spectator
Black currant and cherry flavors mingle in this robust red, with iron, tobacco and wild herbs adding detail. Fresh and juicy, with well-integrated tannins and a lingering finish. Best from 2024 through 2040. 2,400 cases made, 1,210 cases imported. –Bruce Sanderson
92 Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of underbrush, blue flower and toasted nut form the nose along with oak-driven spice. The medium-bodied palate offers dried cherry, roasted coffee bean and licorice set against a backbone of close-grained tannins. It closes on a note of dried sage. KERIN O’KEEFE
93 Wine Advocate
The San Polo 2017 Brunello di Montalcino (made with organic fruit) opens to a really fun and unique bouquet. I found aromas of dried herb, oregano and wild licorice, which I don't find in other wines from this vintage. There is also a pretty floral component that actually outpaces those characteristic aromas of cherry and redcurrant that you always get with Sangiovese. This wine has that extra layer of balsam intensity that sets it apart in a crowd. Production is 28,600 bottles.
93 James Suckling
Ripe plum and dried citrus notes in the form of oranges on the nose follow through to a full body with juicy fruit and a creamy and rather chewy aftertaste. This 2017 shows some balance and focus for the vintage, considering the hot growing conditions. Try after 2023.
95 Decanter World Wine Awards
A classic, earthy wine, with forest floor and tea leaf savoury elegance. The palate shows outstanding texture, with smooth and complex red fruits with accents of mineral and smoke. The wine is intense, with lovely equilibrium, and offers a very elegant tannin finish.
