Sondraia Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2019 Poggio al Tesoro

This production of 45,000 bottles is expected to hit the market at the beginning of 2023. The Poggio al Tesoro 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Sondraia (a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) makes excellent use of oak aging, resulting in soft tannins, plush richness and attractive concentration. The wine is very well managed overall with plenty of black fruit balanced by spice and tobacco. Its important structure suggests a long aging future.

Aromas of fresh herbs such as parsley and nettles, blackcurrants. Pure and focused. Full-bodied with lovely polished tannins that are tailored and focused. Delicious finish. Nice balance to this already and delicious for a young wine but will be better in two or three years. Better after 2023.

Reveals powerful and firmly wrought tannins, setting the stage for blackberry, black currant, coffee, iron and a hint of dark chocolate. Suave and balanced, with a dusty, bitter cocoa finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2037.

The 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Sondraia is a powerful, rather somber wine. In this tasting, the 2019 stands out for its more extracted style and stronger oak imprint, neither of which seem to allow the wine to show at its best. Dark redtoned fruit, spice, tobacco, espresso and torrefaction notes build in the glass. I find the finish a touch abrupt and astringent. All that said, this is still a very good wine. This is a fine set of new releases from Poggio al Tesoro, where a move towards greater freshness over the last few years is paying considerable dividends. Naturally, these transitions take time, but the overall direction here is quite positive.