Tommaso Cortonesi’s grandfather bought La Mannella in the 1970s. The estate spreads over 56 hectares, eight of which produce Brunello di Montalcino. The major vineyard is around the winery at La Mannella, just north of Montalcino itself, but there is another vineyard near Castelnuovo dell’ Abate, to the south east of the town. Originally just one Brunello was made, a blend from the two separate vineyards, but in the 1990s, Tommaso and his father realised that the two vineyards had distinctly different soil composition. They decided that better wine would be made if each terroir was properly realised in the bottle, and thus were born Poggiarelli (in the south east) and La Mannella (in the north).
Poggiarelli has rocky soil, rich in marl, whereas at La Mannella it is mainly clay and limestone. Poggiarelli is at about 420 m.a.s.l and La Mannella is 280-350 m.a.s.l. The oldest vines were planted in 1983, and another two plots were planted in 1998. All their wines are 100% Sangiovese
"Very aromatic young Brunello with ripe cherries, peaches, orange peel and some flowers. Full-bodied with a beautiful center
palate of fruit and creamy, polished tannins that go on for minutes. This is all in-check and reserved with a tight structure,
but there’s well balanced fruit and tannins underneath. Drink after 2025." 96 pts, James Suckling
"The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Poggiarelli draws its fruit from a vineyard planted in the 1970s and replanted in part during the 1990s. Its fruit has made this designate wine since 1998, and like many of the Selezioni (and the Brunello cru expressions), this wine shows a pretty mineral character that lifts above the bright red fruit. It's absolutely true that these special sections from Montalcino are always recognized by their terrain or soil-adjacent aromas. In this case, I can smell those flinty or gravel-like tones from the schistous Galestro rocks. That special aromatic signature is followed by dark fruit and balsam herb, firm tannins and bright acidity. This is a limited 4,000-bottle release." 96+ pts, Monica Larner, WA
"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Poggiarelli is a brilliant ruby color in the glass, showing bright cherries and strawberries with a dusting of cedar and savory spice. It’s medium-bodied and velvety in texture with rich dark fruits, hints of licorice and dark inner florals, coming across as a bit of a bruiser today. Grippy tannins come forward through the finale, creating a classically dry expression with hints of lavender and violets lingering. There’s a bit of a large-scaled feel here; that said, the Poggiarelli does find balance toward the close." 92 pts, Eric Guido, Vinous
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