Poggio Bonelli 'Poggiassai' Toscana IGT Blend 2018

In Short

A Sangiovese-based Tuscan blend of dark cherry and plum with refined tannins and earthy undertones.

Quick Facts

• Region: Tuscany
• Variety: Sangiovese-based blend
• Style: Medium-bodied red
• Best For: Dinner, game, aged cheeses

Why We Stock It

This is a well-made Tuscan blend that sits in that useful middle ground between everyday Chianti and serious Brunello money. The wine shows the structure and balance you want from a serious Sangiovese without the price tag that comes with a single-vineyard designation. It drinks well now and will age another four or five years.

Tasting Profile

An elegant red with the earthy complexity you expect from Tuscany.

• Aroma: Dark cherry, plum, subtle herbs, hints of oak
• Palate: Ripe red fruits, leather, earthy undertones
• Structure & Finish: Refined tannins, balanced, persistent finish

Winemaking

Details of the producer's technique are not readily available, but the wine shows the character of traditional Tuscan winemaking: a Sangiovese-based blend fermented and aged to bring out the grape's natural structure and earth-toned character.

Serving & Pairing

Serve at 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit without decanting, though the wine will open further if you do. Try it with roasted game, beef stew, or aged Pecorino. A plate of charcuterie with walnuts and dried fruit will show off its balance just as well as a formal dinner.

The Estate

Poggio Bonelli is a small producer in Tuscany working in the traditional Sangiovese style. The estate focuses on expressing the character of its vineyards through careful winemaking rather than extraction or heavy-handed technique.

Terroir

The vineyards sit in Tuscany's rolling hills, where Sangiovese has grown for centuries. The region's continental climate and clay-rich soils give the wine its structure and earthy character. These conditions produce wines with the kind of balance and aging potential that made Tuscan reds famous.