Le Potazzine

Bright ruby red colour, typical for Sangiovese. Very intense smell of blackcurrants, cherries and Mediterranean maquis. On the palate it immediately shows great freshness and minerality, good tannins and structure, a very long finish that shows that Sangiovese has a natural elegance and depth even in its less polished expressions. Also perfect for summer, but then served a little cooler. SUPERIORE.DE

Here comes a big, rich Rosso that is coherent and impressive in all its components. The bouquet alternates between dried cherries and a fine note of tobacco. Taut and precise on the palate, in keeping with the style of the house, its body is supported by strong tannins that make it an ideal companion to Tuscan cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant crimson. A little closed compared to 2020 and brooding. Supple, ripe red fruit with fresh, juicy acidity and plenty of enveloping tannins, but they don't overpower the fruit. Great length, balance and freshness and with more substance than the 2020. I can imagine it getting even better in another year." Jancis Robinson

"The confirmation of a territorial vocation in this truly surprising red wine, refined and intense at the same time. Raspberry, a hint of ginseng and liquorice root on the nose, spicy tannins, fruity-spicy, with great drinkability." Luca Gardini

Le Potazzine is known for its purist interpretation of the Sangiovese grape than elsewhere in the appellation. The 2017 vintage offers a maximum of originality, authenticity and, at the same time, an unprecedented personality. On the nose, red roses, forest floor and mushrooms. On the palate, powerful with a beguiling rusticity - at the same time, it reveals its depth and complexity with every sip (and with good aeration). Enormous drinking flow and enthusiasm all along the line in the long, profound final! SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of blackberries, black cherries and mushrooms. The palate is full-bodied, with slightly chewy tannins, but it remains polished and lively. Berries, earth and bark on the finish. Give this wine a few years to open up. Try it after 2023." James Suckling

"An exotic blend of sweet smoke and cloves gives way to dusty black cherries and a hint of sour citrus as the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino unfolds in the glass. After some time, hints of animal musk and floral undergrowth emerge. On the palate, the Brunello di Montalcino reveals pure elegance, delicate and silky, but also with a core of salty minerals that adds unexpected depth to the vibrant flavours of tart wild berries and spices. The 2017 finishes with incredible persistence but also composure, structured yet primary, just as it should be at this young stage. Keep your hands off it for at least a couple of years, because the best is yet to come. The higher altitudes and sober winemaking at Le Potazzine have really helped to produce one of the most balanced and, frankly, interesting wines of the vintage." Vinous

"Le Potazzine is run by Gigliola Giannetti and her daughters Viola and Sofia. Viola took over responsibility for winemaking in 2017 at the age of 24. She continues the winery's long-established approach: spontaneous fermentation in open vats, long macerations, no filtering and low SO2. I always find the wines a little wild at first, before an intense purity sets in. The 2017 shows balsamic notes of sun-dried thyme and herb flowers before floral accents take over. This is a relatively powerful expression for Le Potazzine, but ultimately expresses the elegance typical of the estate. Grainy, sandy tannins envelop the ripe strawberry fruit, leading to a long finish with notes of potpourri and orange." Decanter

"The ladies at Le Potazzine make an excellent bottle of Brunello, and their high altitude vineyards are particularly important in maintaining freshness in a vintage as hot as this. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino offers a pretty succession of wild berry, cherry and plum aromas, along with light spice, crushed flowers and fragrant potting soil. This wine also features hints of bay leaf and perhaps a warmer note of smoked tobacco. This is an impressive achievement." Wine Advocate

"Aromas of crushed mint, pressed rose and fragrant berries combine with warm spices in this stunning red wine. Thanks to some of the highest vineyard altitudes in the denomination, it features vibrancy and finesse in its flavours of ripe black cherry, juicy blood orange, liquorice and crushed mint. Taut, elegant tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced and concentrated." Wine Enthusiast

"One of the most amazing Brunello, from Gigliola Giannelli's sustainability project. Red currants, notes of liquorice and capers, red orange peel, finish with iodine spicy tannins and very long finish." Luca Gardini

Dark ruby with a light rim. On the nose, dark red fruits, cedar wood and crushed rock with a fine grilled spiciness. A balanced wine, to which the cooler sites and the light sea breeze give profile and contour at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny medium ruby red. Balsamic nose that is still a little closed. Smooth, sweet and concentrated fruit through which the tangy acidity shines on the finish. Quite unruly tannins - it clearly needs more bottle age, for which it has plenty of substance." Jancis Robinson

"Le Potazzine's airy, high-altitude location and stony, well-drained soil helped offset the rainfall and threat of mildew in 2018. Nevertheless, the winery produced about 15% less Brunello due to strict selection. It is a little shy and needs some persuasion to release forest herbs, leather and wild strawberries. Medium-bodied and delicate but not fragile, it moves gracefully and delivers a core of sweet fruit while supple, chalky tannins linger at the edges. It's almost ripe now, though it has enough depth to drink satisfactorily in the medium term." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino needs some coaxing to unfold in the glass. It is dusty yet floral, with crushed ash stones and a core of plums, followed by spicy herbs and blackcurrants underneath it all. This is elegance personified, with velvety textures of ripe red and blue berries gliding across the palate, all carried by lively acidity and with a hint of lavender that brightens the senses. A layer of fine tannins lingers in the mouth, making you want more, while nuances of liquorice and blackberries slowly fade away. The 2018 is a first-class rendition of the vintage, enhanced by a slightly higher declassification of the juice that went into the Rosso di Montalcino. I would give it another two to three years in the cellar to develop fully." Vinous

"Le Potazzine delivers solid results thanks to the impressive location of its vines, which stretch along the crown of a plateau. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino shows bright fruit with cherry and currant, and that makes all the difference. Careful ageing in oak has enhanced the flavours. I can also feel the effects of careful ageing in the cellar on the mouthfeel, especially the structure and tannins." Wine Advocate

"A sweet and savory nose features lighter notes of cherry, vanilla and cedar standing up to umami balsamic vinegar, olives and rocks. The palate welcomes a sour wave of dried cranberries, pomegranate and citrus before an astringent finish. This wine will make the whole table sit up straight and pay attention." Wine Enthusiast

"South-western territory, from an altitude once considered forbidden for high-quality Brunello. Gigliola and her girls rise to the challenge of sustainability in both the vineyard and the winery. A wine of masterful balance, with cornelian cherry on the nose, then pepper leaf, hints of gardenia and eucalyptus. The mouthfeel is juicy-fruity, with excellent persistence." Luca Gardini

Dark ruby with a light rim. On the nose, dark red fruits, cedar wood and crushed rock with a fine grilled spiciness. A balanced wine, to which the cooler sites and the light sea breeze give profile and contour at the same time. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny medium ruby red. Balsamic nose that is still a little closed. Smooth, sweet and concentrated fruit through which the tangy acidity shines on the finish. Quite unruly tannins - it clearly needs more bottle age, for which it has plenty of substance." Jancis Robinson

"Le Potazzine's airy, high-altitude location and stony, well-drained soil helped offset the rainfall and threat of mildew in 2018. Nevertheless, the winery produced about 15% less Brunello due to strict selection. It is a little shy and needs some persuasion to release forest herbs, leather and wild strawberries. Medium-bodied and delicate but not fragile, it moves gracefully and delivers a core of sweet fruit while supple, chalky tannins linger at the edges. It's almost ripe now, though it has enough depth to drink satisfactorily in the medium term." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino needs some coaxing to unfold in the glass. It is dusty yet floral, with crushed ash stones and a core of plums, followed by spicy herbs and blackcurrants underneath it all. This is elegance personified, with velvety textures of ripe red and blue berries gliding across the palate, all carried by lively acidity and with a hint of lavender that brightens the senses. A layer of fine tannins lingers in the mouth, making you want more, while nuances of liquorice and blackberries slowly fade away. The 2018 is a first-class rendition of the vintage, enhanced by a slightly higher declassification of the juice that went into the Rosso di Montalcino. I would give it another two to three years in the cellar to develop fully." Vinous

"Le Potazzine delivers solid results thanks to the impressive location of its vines, which stretch along the crown of a plateau. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino shows bright fruit with cherry and currant, and that makes all the difference. Careful ageing in oak has enhanced the flavours. I can also feel the effects of careful ageing in the cellar on the mouthfeel, especially the structure and tannins." Wine Advocate

"A sweet and savory nose features lighter notes of cherry, vanilla and cedar standing up to umami balsamic vinegar, olives and rocks. The palate welcomes a sour wave of dried cranberries, pomegranate and citrus before an astringent finish. This wine will make the whole table sit up straight and pay attention." Wine Enthusiast

"South-western territory, from an altitude once considered forbidden for high-quality Brunello. Gigliola and her girls rise to the challenge of sustainability in both the vineyard and the winery. A wine of masterful balance, with cornelian cherry on the nose, then pepper leaf, hints of gardenia and eucalyptus. The mouthfeel is juicy-fruity, with excellent persistence." Luca Gardini

A wine that is only vinified in the very best years and then presents a breathtaking beauty with each edition. In depth, purity and structure, it is the archetype of a Brunello. It beguiles with a mix of sage, rosemary, tobacco, wild flowers and cloves through to a nuanced and endless finish. It is punchy and seductive at the same time and has great personality. Chapeau! SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a late-release 2015 with extremely attractive blackberry, black-cherry and floral aromas, as well as hints of spices. Full-bodied with wonderfully integrated tannins that are polished yet powerful. Long, persistent finish, showing real purity of fruit. Try after 2023, but already impressive." James Suckling

"The Le Potazzine 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is released a year after most other Riservas hit the market (most of this winery's peers are now selling the 2016 vintage). This pretty wine is open-knit and rich, showing nice textural support. It is redolent of dried cherry, blackberry, light spice, tar and smoke. This special selection of fruit shows elegant results in this hot and sunny vintage." Wine Advocate

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva captivates as it slowly blossoms in the glass, but this is a wine that is truly worth waiting for. With each swirl, a bouquet of mentholated cherry, autumnal spice, shaved cedar and Tuscan dust gains amplitude and richness. The textures are undeniably elegant, communicating opulence while also stimulating the senses with salty minerals and an inner smokiness that I find wildly compelling. An intense array of red currants, licorice and savory spice fills the senses and translates directly to the finale, where regal tannins saturate, promising a remarkably long life. Only 3,000 bottles of this beauty were produced." Vinous

Le Potazzine is known for its purer interpretation of the Sangiovese grape than elsewhere in the appellation. Thus the 2015 vintage offers a maximum of originality, authenticity and at the same time an unprecedented personality. In the bouquet red roses, forest soil and mushrooms. On the palate, it has a strong, enchanting rusticity, but at the same time, with each sip (and with good aeration), it reveals its depth and complexity. Enormous drinking flow and enthusiasm all along the line in the long, profound final! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with lots of garnets. Very compact nose, ripe cherry fruit, with some cloves, appealing. Full-bodied and pithy in the beginning and course, opens with firm, handy tannin, juicy fruit, in the final with bite." Falstaff

"Tasted blind. Mid ruby with orange tinges. Leafy cherry fruit that is still compact and a little closed. Generous sour-cherry fruit and the tannins are persistent but never dominate the fruit. Muscular structure reveals itself even more on the finish, but the whole strikes a near-perfect balance." Jancis Robinson

"A refined and fruity red with plums, oyster shell and porcini mushrooms that follow through to a full body. Tight and powerful with gorgeous fruit and richness." James Suckling

"Fragrant and elegantly structured, this opens with aromas of woodland berry, iris, new leather and wild aromatic herb. The taut, linear palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, ripe pomegranate, crushed mint and star anise framed in firm, polished tannins. Boasting some of the highest vineyards in the denomination, it retains great freshness and balance." Wine Enthusiast

"Le Potazzine 's 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is fabulous. The bouquet is showing an earthy display, with smoky minerals and dark soil tones up front, evolving with time in the glass, as crushed black cherry mixes with wild, savory herbs and dried dusty florals. On the palate, gorgeously ripe red fruits are balanced by a mix of saline-minerals, savory spice and zesty acidity, as fine tannin slowly mounts beneath its pretty inner floral tones. The finish is long with a salty-savory twang of minerals and spice, as hints of hard red candies and a bit of citrus lingers over a core of tannic heft. There is so much to like about the 2015, from its classic and earthy bouquet to its fleshy yet balanced palate and totally classic finish. Simply stunning and so pleasurable." Vinous

"The Le Potazzine 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is immediately bright and energized. The wine is sprightly and lively. This is an elegantly medium-weight wine, but everything is in exactly the right place. Fresh acidity and snappy fruit flavors are followed by lighter touches of rose petal, cardamon, camphor ash and powdered licorice. These aromas are stacked tall and proud. Of special interest is that point of zesty medicinal herb that reminds you of the relatively cool climate and high-altitude positioning of Le Potazzine's vineyards. These special conditions are exactly why this wine performs so nicely in a warm vintage like 2015. The coolness of the growing site offsets the temperatures of the growing season." Wine Advocate

Hardly any Brunello is as authentic as the growths from Le Potazzine - they reveal the whole truth of the Sangiovese grape. The result is neither completely polished, nor is it even boring or predictable. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino achieves a level of extreme authenticity and originality not found on every corner in the appellation. It is a wine full of understatement and equally great personality, for which one must take time and leisure to discover every last nuance. On the nose, it reveals a subtle and well-composed bouquet of red roses, spices, earth and wild mushrooms. In addition, as always with Le Potazzine, there is a wild touch of rusticity. In the mouth, this Brunello shows its powerful fruit and perfectly integrated tannins. Like a friend you can rely on, this Brunello is both a role model and a lovable buddy. SUPERIORE.DE

"Elegant ruby red. On the nose of sweet, ripe raspberries, lush cherries and dried rose petal, reverberating with cedar and a hint of white chocolate. Supple on the palate with tightly woven tannin, very juicy, opens with clear fruit and great acidity, with supple pressure, elegant." Falstaff

"Very harmonious, ripe aroma, raw meat, small red fruit, cranberry, fine ethereal spice, Original Beans cocoa, sturdy, balanced, wonderful melting bitter chocolate tannin, timeless." Meiningers Sommelier

"Owned by Gigliola Giannetti and her daughters Viola and Sofia, the estate is comprised of two vineyards: near the town of Montalcino, Le Prata rises over 500 metres, while the slightly lower site of La Torre is located in Sant’Angelo in Colle. Le Potazzine’s Brunello takes time to come into focus, but when it does a cascade of brambly forest berries, anise, cinnamon, tea and incense waft from the glass. There's a plushness to the fruit and a crisp youthfulness. Chalky tannins cling elegantly to the edges." Decanter

"This is a cooler style of Brunello with blueberries, black cherries, crushed stones and lavender. It’s full-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Yet, it opens at the end to pinpointed fruit and tannins. Give this time to soften." James Suckling

"The remarkably pretty 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows a pure bouquet full of wild strawberries, woodland berries and herbs with a hint of crushed stone. It’s soft and enveloping, displaying fleshy red fruits, savory spice and salty minerals, while vibrant acids maintain wonderful freshness. It’s only at the very end that its youthful structure comes forward, grippy and classically drying, yet under an air of red licorice and inner rose. There’s a beautiful harmony to this vintage of Le Potazzine, which should provide a long and wide drinking window." Vinous

"Black cherry, black currant and plum flavors are front and center in this supple red, with accents of earth, iron, leather and tobacco chiming in as the tannins flex their muscles on the long finish. Everything is there, this just needs to integrate." Wine Spectator

"Le Potazzine always delivers a smooth and silky style with extreme elegance and the lifted cool-climate fruit that you get from this high-altitude growing site. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is taut and firm with cherry fruit, dried raspberry, tilled earth, spice and blue flower. The wine sees an extended fermentation of 40 days and ages in botte grande for 42 months. This is a well-balanced wine that is slightly thinner, with one notch lower intensity in this vintage compared to past editions. You get a light, sharp and streamlined style." Wine Advocate

"Earthy aromas of blue flower, rose, underbrush and leather mingle together on this gorgeous, fragrant red. All about finesse and flavor, the medium-bodied palate is absolutely delicious, featuring juicy morello cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice, star anise and the barest hint of game. It's radiant and beautifully balanced thanks to taut, polished tannins and bright acidity. It's already showing incredibly well but hold for even more complexity." Wine Enthusiast

A wine that is only vinified in the very best years and then presents a breathtaking beauty with each edition. In depth, purity and structure, it is the archetype of a Brunello. It beguiles with a mix of sage, rosemary, tobacco, wild flowers and cloves through to a nuanced and endless finish. It is punchy and seductive at the same time and has great personality. Chapeau! SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a late-release 2015 with extremely attractive blackberry, black-cherry and floral aromas, as well as hints of spices. Full-bodied with wonderfully integrated tannins that are polished yet powerful. Long, persistent finish, showing real purity of fruit. Try after 2023, but already impressive." James Suckling

"The Le Potazzine 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is released a year after most other Riservas hit the market (most of this winery's peers are now selling the 2016 vintage). This pretty wine is open-knit and rich, showing nice textural support. It is redolent of dried cherry, blackberry, light spice, tar and smoke. This special selection of fruit shows elegant results in this hot and sunny vintage." Wine Advocate

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva captivates as it slowly blossoms in the glass, but this is a wine that is truly worth waiting for. With each swirl, a bouquet of mentholated cherry, autumnal spice, shaved cedar and Tuscan dust gains amplitude and richness. The textures are undeniably elegant, communicating opulence while also stimulating the senses with salty minerals and an inner smokiness that I find wildly compelling. An intense array of red currants, licorice and savory spice fills the senses and translates directly to the finale, where regal tannins saturate, promising a remarkably long life. Only 3,000 bottles of this beauty were produced." Vinous