POGGIO AL TESORO, BOLGHERI SUPERIORE

 

TUSCANY, ITALY

 

Why Buy: A 95-point Super Tuscan of elegance and balance, built from some of the most coveted soils of Bolgheri, that is ready to drink right now, plus a terrific value proposition, also ready to drink now, in a 93-point entry-wine red that Monica Larner of The Wine Advocate hailed for its “plush texturing.”

 

What They're Saying: Reviewing the 95-point Sondraia for The Wine Advocate, Larner wrote that it "makes excellent use of oak aging, resulting in soft tannins, plush richness and attractive concentration," while its "structure suggests a long aging future." Larner also weighed in on the Il Seggio, a wine that "reveals soft, ripe cherry fruit with lots of plush texturing at the back. The tannins are tame and the wine spreads evenly over the palate."

 

The Story: This passion project of the Allegrini siblings, Marilisa and Walter, began life in 2001, when, after looking throughout Italy for the ideal vineyard site, brother and sister chose to set down roots not in Valpolicella (where their father, Giovanni Allegrini, had made his vast reputation) but in Bolgheri. Walter died two years later, but Marilisa has soldiered on, redoubling the commitment she and her brother made at the start: crafting wines of character and complexity that have aging potential and that won't break the bank. Poggio al Tesoro’s vineyards are distributed over four locations in the region, giving Allegrini and her team a multitude of options when it comes to blending. That blending is key, of course, to the characteristic harmony of these wines, but their quality is a direct result of the age-old methods that make up the Allegrini way, a philosophy that insists upon sustainable agricultural practices, dry farming, and tedious manual harvesting. Combine this approach with the superior clay soils of the vineyards, and the optimal offshore winds that blow through to cool the vines, and you have an estate that is perfectly poised for continued growth and success.

 

Specs: The Sondraia is a blend, primarily, of Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc for softening and character. Merlot is predominant in Il Seggio, with Cabernet Sauvignon in near-equal proportion, and Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for rounding.

 

Our Tasting Notes: The Sondraia is a wine of opulence and intensity, so much so that you're almost not aware, as you surrender to each rich and velvety sip, that you're approaching the finish. The Il Seggio is both softer and more concentrated than in previous vintages, with an ease of drinkability that can cause you to lose sight of how well-crafted it is, and the way its lovely details unfold.

 

ABV: Sondraia, 15%; Il Seggio, 14.5%

 

Fun Fact: Allegrini's father is the great Giovanni Allegrini, the Valpolicella viticulturalist who s widely regarded as having revolutionized Amarone.

 

What to Pair Them With: Long braises, hearty stews, anything with a rich red sauce, and all manner of roasted game and meats (duck, goose, lamb, beef).

 

Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!

 

 

*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2023 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2024). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, August 30th, 2023.