About the Wine

"One of our favorites in Montalcino is Col d’Orcia. Apart from making superb wines, the owner, count Francesco Marone Cinzano, is passionate about biodiversity and fighting climate change." ~Forbes

One of the original estates of Montalcino and now the largest certified organic estate in Tuscany, Col d’Orcia is a leader in Brunello di Montalcino. The estate is known for helping to define and promote one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions. Tradition, integrity, and sustainability are the pillars of the estate, whose classic style wines are celebrated all over the world. Proudly defined as an ‘organic island,’ Col d’Orcia is committed to maintaining the natural environment in which it operates and has, for many years, employed organic farming practices. 

The estate’s name translates to “the hill overlooking the Orcia River,” as its position lays in the undulating hills between the Orcia River and Sant’Angelo in Colle. Here, the southern orientation provides vines with abundant exposure to sunshine. The vineyard soils are comprised of limestone and marl which facilitates natural irrigation. Located at about 1500 feet above sea level, the estate is favorably positioned against Mount Amiata (5,700 feet) which helps shield the property from floods and hail. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with limited rainfall coming in from the Tyrrhenian coast, 21 miles away.

2001 was an outstanding wine in Montalcino. Wine Spectator blessed this vintage with a 98 point review, and said, "Great wines with wonderful structure, focus and balance."

Tasting Notes: 100% Sangiovese. On the nose, complex and fresh, with inviting fruit aromas balanced by oak-imparted spices. Well-structured and full-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins that promise great aging capacity; long and impressive finish. An ideal companion to red meat entrées, hearty stews, and assorted cheeses.

Reviews

Pulling yourself away from a glass of 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Al Vento Riserva is an exercise in futility. It wafts up with a heady bouquet of dried cherries and clove complemented by brown spices, worn leather, tobacco and the slightest hint of mocha. There are silken depths here, ushering in intense, tart red currants, motivated by stimulating acidity, as saline-minerals and a burst of sour citrus provides lovely contrasts. It leaves a potent and persistent staining of primary fruit and sweet tannins, all under rosy inner florals and earth tones. Judged by the bright ruby color alone, you’d never guess this was a twenty-year-old wine, yet what you find within tempts the imagination even more. The 2001 Riserva has many years of evolution in store. ~95 Vinous Media

Col d’Orcia is one of the estates which keeps commercial stocks of older vintages like this single-vineyard wine, and I include it as an example of just how well Brunello (at either ‘normal’ or Riserva level) can age. Still dark in colour, with refined aromas of cream, plum, warm stone and forest leaf. On the palate, the wine is dry, refined and elemental, yet brimming with energy and flavour resource. ~92 Decanter

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