Balsamic aromas and flavors of juniper, rosemary, sage and loamy earth give way to plum, cherry and iron notes in this dry, powerful red. Burly tannins complete the package. The lasting impression is of ripe fruit, showing some heat in the balance. This screams terroir and needs time to find equilibrium. Best from 2023 through 2045. 833 cases made, 200 cases imported.

This is an elegant and graceful wine. The Castello di Monsanto 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio is a dark and sultry expression that maintains the polished and sophisticated house style for which this estate is known. This top shelf Sangiovese shows a slightly sweet side with dried raspberry and blueberry, but it also delivers a lot of freshness with balsam herb, blue flower, rosemary and cypress tree.

The 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna il Poggio is a beautiful and compelling wine. High-toned floral and savory notes emerge first, with plenty of sage, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco and crushed rose petal aromatics. Pliant and open, the 2015 is already quite showy. It will drink well with minimal cellaring. In fact, it's already pretty expressive. The one thing I would do is open it well in advance to allow some youthful Sangiovese funkiness to blow off.

Aromas of scorched soil, coconut, star anise and baked plum form the nose. Showing the heat of the vintage, the smooth, ripe palate is already soft and accessible, offering fleshy black cherry, tobacco and roasted coffee bean alongside polished tannins. Drink or hold through 2025.