Producer details
This highly acclaimed wine from the Allegrini family, Seggio is the name of the creek that runs through Bolgheri, Il Seggio’s vines are grown at high altitude on some of the best soils in Tuscany.
Poggio al Tesoro is a 70 hectare property in Bolgheri acquired in 2002 by the Allegrini family. The first vineyard they bought, Le Sondraie, is next door to Ornellaia and was previously rented by them. It is 50 hectares in size and is planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Vermentino.
In the vineyard
Throughout the winter the weather was good, with very little rain and slightly lower than usual average temperatures that helped to combat insect infestations that can damage the vines. Spring was marked by early bud burst, while the frosts that hit various Italian regions did not adversely affect the vegetation in Montalcino. The summer picked up on the trend in spring, with sunny days and constant breezes. Early July was marked by relatively elevated humidity for the coastal area. The first significant rainfall occurred in mid-September, followed again by warm, bright days. The prolonged drought helped Poggio Al Tesoro combat both fungal and parasitic diseases. Irrigation management was more complex, coordinated with the help of mini weather stations equipped with sensors capable of detecting soil moisture and the release of vapour. But as always, human observation was invaluable: visual and manual monitoring of swelling in the leaves and grapes prompted timely interventions with exactly the right amount of water, enabling them to keep the grapes fresh and well-toned, and the leaf canopy actively engaged in photosynthesis.
In the winery
Following destemming and gentle pressing to partially rupture the berries, fermentation took place over 12 days in temperaturecontrolled stainless steel tanks at 28-30°C. The wine was then aged for 15 months in 225 litre French oak barrique from Allier (30% new, 70% second fill) during which time malolactic fermentation occurred naturally.
Awards
James Suckling, Weekly Tasting Report 22nd February 2021
Poggio al Tesoro, `Sondraia` Bolgheri Superiore 2013, Italy
95 points
Aromas of wild blackberries, blackcurrants, cloves, olives, dried mint, pine cone, mocha and sandalwood. It`s full-bodied with firm, well integrated tannins. Structured and layered with a long, deliciously polished finish. Beautifully balanced and refined. Pretty blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc.
