Tech Notes
Wine Details
Kerin O'Keefe
The Wine Independent
James Suckling
Decanter
By San Polino
Brunello di Montalcino 2018 DOCG
Wine Details
Vintage: 2018
Wine Designation: DOCG
Grape: Sangiovese
Vineyard Altitude: 300 m
Alcohol: 14.50%
Terroir
Located at 300 meters above sea level, the vineyard features soils rich in clay and marl. With excellent ventilation and abundant sun exposure, this terroir ensures optimal ripeness and consistently high-quality harvests each year.
Vintage
A relatively rainy spring allowed plants and soil to regain strong vitality after the previous year's dry conditions. Due to these conditions, much work was required in the fields to keep the exuberance of both the vines and the vineyard ecosystem under control. August was hot, but not to the extreme levels of previous years, and the grapes ripened correctly. Harvest took place at the beginning of October. The grapes were healthy and beautiful, with correct sugar levels, high acidity, and relatively high concentration.
Fermentation
Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in 35-hl tronic barrels, allowing the natural microbiome to shape the wine's character.
Maceration
Three days of cold maceration before fermentation, followed by 30 days of skin contact post-fermentation.
Wood Aging
Three years in large Slavonian oak barrels and cellar-aged French barrique.
[Information provided by Superior Wine Selection]
Region
Tuscany
Vintage
2018
Grape
Sangiovese
Country
Italy
Unit Size
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage
14.50
Appellation
Brunello di Montalcino
Wine: San Polino 2018 Brunello di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 97
Suggested Drinking Window: 2026 - 2038
Review Date: 11/2022
Reviewed By: Kerin O’Keefe
Tasting Notes: Ripe red berry, new leather, truffle and botanical herb aromas take center stage on this fragrant, fabulous red. Full-bodied and delicious, the palate is a seamless combination of structure and finesse, delivering juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and hints of mocha framed in velvety, enveloping tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Drink 2026-2038.
Wine: 2018 San Polino Brunello di Montalcino
Score/Rating: 96
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2036
Review Date: 02/23/2023
Reviewed By: Susan Hulme
Tasting Notes: The San Polino estate lies directly to the south of the town of Montalcino in one of the original growing zones for Brunello. Winemaker and owner, Luigi [Fabbro] originally from Friuli and his English wife Katia have always made a friendly, fruity, enjoyable stye of Brunello but in recent vintages their wines are getting better than ever. The 2018 San Polino Brunello shows very good fruit concentration and well-integrated oak. Aromas of woodsmoke, cream, and sweet spice are gently, wrapped around ripe, dark cherry fruit. On the palate this Brunello has all the firmness and assertiveness of a that you could wish for but the tannins are refined and harmonious and the wine is delivered with plenty of appealing aromatics and charm.
Wine: San Polino Brunello di Montalcino 2018
Score/Rating: 95
Review Date: 11/11/2022
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: This has a gorgeous nose of rosemary, tobacco smoke, cherry stones, raspberries, peaches, cinnamon stick and five spice. Layered and seductive, with a full body and firm, very fine tannins. Persistent firmness and focus. From organically grown grapes. [...]
Wine: San Polino, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy, 2018
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2031
Review Date: 11/09/2022
Reviewed By: Michaela Morris
Tasting Notes: San Polino’s classic bottling hails from a five-hectare plot in the northeast of Montalcino. The relatively flat vineyard sits on deep clay soil. [...] A flinty reductiveness lingers from recent bottling, however a few swirls unlock exotic hints of smoky incense, cumin and cardamom. Crunchy red fruits pack the core, melding effortlessly with appetising acidity. Fleshy, tactile tannins give a hearty punch, but this isn’t a heavyweight bruiser. It should be drinking beautifully by the time it hits the shelves - and beyond.
