The 2022 harvest has been extremely rewarding. The strong heat and lack of rain have not affected the quality of harvest: instead, the vines showed remarkable resilience which enabled us to bring healthy and perfectly ripe grapes to the cellar.
Two months after the harvest, how are Poggio Antico wines doing? What kind of vintage do they have in store? We asked Alessio Sostegni, the young winemaker of the estate. A full-blooded Tuscan born in 1989, he oversees fermentation and aging, accompanying Poggio Antico wines to reach the finishing line in the bottle.
Alessio, as an enologist, what are your thoughts about 2022?
I think it went really well. The quality of the fruit has been evident right from the harvest: only ripe grapes without any trace of rotten mold have reached the cellar. Fermentation has been steady and did not pose any problem. The first tastings revealed well-balanced polyphenolic extracts and alcohol content, sustained by good acidity. Poggio Antico wines are currently aging in wood, divided based on Soil Units.
How is the vinification of the Soil Units going?
It’s surprising that, as early as these past few months, the altitude of our vineyards brings out the differences between the various Soil Units that we harvested according to our «plot by plot» philosophy. The “central” Units, which are more exposed, are developing complexity and structure, while the outer Units are yielding fresh and ready wines: this is Poggio Antico’s «wine symphony» that expresses the diverse nuances of Sangiovese. We will blend our wines next spring based in further tastings and evaluations.
What should we expect from this vintage?
The 2022 wines will closely resemble those from the 2017 vintage, which has also been very hot. It’s not easy to make any forecasts, but in 5 years, when the first bottles of Brunello will be released, they will be powerful, balanced and with the right alcohol content. They would also be fresh and ready to drink, thanks to a good acidic content that will ensure a remarkable sip. The wines can be enjoyed immediately or be aged for a long time (I recommend drinking them within 15 years) thanks to their natural longevity.
It’s almost Christmas: what do you recommend for the holidays?
Personally, I’ll be opening an Altero Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 which, I think, has reached the peak of its evolution. Those who will be lucky enough to taste it will notice the perfect concentration of fruit and vigor. With time, the wine will become more mellow, velvety and rich in tertiary aromas. As for me, I like it powerful and «explosive».