Poggio ai Chiari (1998)

About this wine

The 1998 Poggio ai Chiari Sangiovese from Tenute del Cerro presents a deep ruby color with subtle garnet reflections, indicative of its maturity. On the nose, it offers a complex bouquet of red fruits like cherries and raspberries, complemented by evolving notes of leather, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The palate is elegant and well-balanced, featuring silky tannins and a lingering finish that highlights its refined structure. This wine is crafted from 28 different clones of Sangiovese, contributing to its depth and complexity. Aged for 78 months in French oak barriques and Slovenian oak casks, followed by a minimum of 24 months in bottle, it exemplifies the aging potential and elegance characteristic of top-tier Tuscan Sangiovese wines.

About the grape

Sangiovese, whose name means "blood of Jupiter," is a grape with deep roots in Tuscany, Italy. It's the primary grape in many of the region's renowned wines, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. The 1998 Tenute del Cerro Poggio ai Chiari Sangiovese is crafted exclusively from this grape, showcasing its adaptability to Tuscany's diverse soils and climates.

Quick facts

• 🏞️ The name 'Poggio ai Chiari' translates to 'Hill of the Clearings,' reflecting the vineyard's picturesque location in Tuscany.
• 🍇 Tenute del Cerro, the producer of this wine, manages several estates across Tuscany and Umbria, encompassing approximately 600 hectares of vineyards.
• ☀️ The 1998 vintage in Tuscany experienced a long, hot, and dry summer, leading to wines with concentrated flavors and robust structures.
• 🍷 Sangiovese, the grape variety used in this wine, is known for its high acidity and tannins, contributing to its excellent aging potential.
• 🏰 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, where this wine originates, is one of Italy's oldest wine regions, with a history dating back to the 8th century.

Palate profile

Producer

Colle Santa Mustiola, located in Chiusi, Tuscany, was founded in the early 1990s by Fabio Cenni, who revitalized his family's vineyards by planting 28 distinct clones of Sangiovese, including four pre-phylloxera varieties. The winery's underground cellar is uniquely housed within a former Etruscan tomb, reflecting the region's rich history of viticulture dating back over 2,000 years. Cenni's dedication to Sangiovese has led to the production of wines that undergo extensive aging, often over five years, resulting in complex and elegant expressions of this classic Italian grape. The vineyards, situated at 300 meters above sea level with northeast exposure, benefit from Pliocene-era soils rich in alluvial pebbles, providing ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality Sangiovese grapes.