“Poggio Valente” Rosso Toscana IGT 2023 · METHUSALEM 6 liters in OWC

Fattoria Le Pupille | Tuscany
Az. Agr. Fattoria Le Pupille | Piagge Del Maiano 92 A | IT 58100 Grosseto

09234323 · 6 l · 59,83 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping3 units available

In 1996, Elisabetta Geppetti bought a slope near Pereta. She named it Poggio Valente – the valiant hill, the brave hill. A name that says it all. The site lies at 280 metres, facing south-west, on sandy soils over sandstone rocks with clay inlays – a soil that gives the Sangiovese precision and elegance rather than weight and vigour. Elisabetta wanted something different here: a single-varietal Sangiovese cru in the Burgundian style, a wine that speaks its vineyard and nothing else. In 2014, she made a consistent decision: Poggio Valente left the Morellino appellation and has since appeared as a Toscana IGT. Not a step backwards – quite the opposite. A statement. This wine is bigger than its designation of origin, and Elisabetta did not want the lack of international recognition of an appellation to limit its ambition.

In 2019, her son Ettore, a trained Oenologist from Pisa, took over responsibility for the vineyard and cellar. The Poggio Valente 2023 is his best vintage to date. 30 to 35 days of maceration in steel at a controlled temperature, then 15 months in 500 and 600-litre French oak Liters. No wood imprint, just structure and depth.

Bright ruby red in the glass with delicate garnet reflections. The nose is multi-layered and of an elegance that cannot be taken for granted in the Maremma: red rose petals, black cherry, blood orange, blackberry, juniper berry, a subtle undertone of wild maquis, herbs and forest undergrowth. Full-bodied and dense on the palate, with silky tannins that reveal the long maceration times, lively Sangiovese acidity and a long, spicy finish. A wine that is already seductive today – and still has years ahead of it. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2023 Poggio Valente is laced with sweet red cherry, mint, pipe tobacco, dried herbs, licorice, mocha and a kiss of French oak. I would give it a year or two in bottle to soften. Floral, savory and earthy notes add the closing shades of nuance." Vinous

"The 2023 is youthful, tightly wound and chewy, yet generously fruity with lovely cherry and strawberry flavours. The wood impression is still dominant, so give it time to harmonise and develop." Decanter

"A solid and beautiful red wine with aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, sage, rosemary and thyme. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and firm tannins that give it length and flavour. Pure Sangiovese. You can drink it now, but it will be even better in three or four years." James Suckling

"The Poggio Valente 2023 is made from 100% Sangiovese and was bottled in June 2025. The 2023 vintage was a challenge in many parts of Tuscany, as it rained repeatedly in spring and mildew severely affected the Merlot grapes and other early-ripening grape varieties, but in the southern Maremma the conditions were more balanced thanks to the naturally ventilated location. Poggio Valente benefits from its location between two hills with the sea right in front of its nose, which leads to constant air circulation and gives the wines a brilliant quality. The Sangiovese is grown on heavier soils, rich in clay and limestone, which gives the wines structure and depth. The winery is refining its ageing process, moving from smaller oak barrels to larger vessels and ageing more than 50% of the wine in botti grandi for a crisper and more transparent expression. The plan for this wine is working wonderfully." Wine Advocate