In Bond Fine Wine. 2011 Potazzine Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. Red italy - tuscany in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 97/100 (ML). Drinking window: 2020–2040. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Founded in 1993, Le Potazzine is a small, family-run estate producing some of Montalcino’s more elegant, fragrant Brunellos. Its high-altitude vineyards give the wines freshness and finesse, with lovely red cherry fruit, floral aromas and fine tannins rather than sheer power. Traditional winemaking and ageing in large oak casks allow the character of Sangiovese to shine through. A particularly appealing Brunello for Burgundy lovers, combining delicacy with depth and excellent ageing potential, a relatively small production and a growing reputation.
Bruce Sanderson (BS) — 94/100 · Wine Spectator, 30/06/2018 · Drink 2022-2035
This red offers ripe, sweet fruit, with macerated cherry, plum and chocolate flavors that verge on jammy. Nonetheless, this is fresh, tightly structured and persistent on the finish. A layer of dusty tannins holds court for now, so be patient. Best from 2022 through 2035.
Monica Larner (ML) — 97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 28/02/2018 · Drink 2020-2040
The ladies of Le Potazzine have broken with the pack. They are betting on this Riserva from the warm 2011 vintage over everything else (including vintages held in higher esteem by appellation authorities). The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is indeed a sure bet if you are looking for a Brunello that will knock your socks off. This is a sharp, precise and extremely defined Sangiovese. This is…
Ian D'Agata (IDA) — 95/100 · Vinous, 01/04/2018 · Drink 2024-2038
Luminous dark ruby. Camphor, licorice and potpourri complement dark berry and red cherry aromas and flavors. Less mineral but denser and more austere than the 2013, this focused, energetic Brunello boasts polished tannins and noteworthy suave mouthfeel on the long, complex finish. Super wine; Le Potazzine does not make a Brunello Riserva all that often, but when it does, you are virtually guarant…