James Suckling:  "A decadent and ultra�rich red, with plum tart, prunes, cooked meat and berries. Full bodied, with soft and silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. An aromatically beautiful wine. Best after 2012." Jan 2012

Wired For Wine: Hang onto your holiday hats, winelovers; this Poggio Il Castellare Brunello di Montalcino might just blow you away.  According to Italian wine expert, James Suckling, it is "decadent, ultrarich and aromatically beautiful", in other words, perfect for all of your boldly flavored holiday dishes.  We recently had the pleasure of dining at Mario Batali's Babbo, and if you're able, delight in your first glass of questo bello italiano with beef cheek raviolis with crushed squab liver and black truffles.  It will be an unforgettable combination.  The dark and dried fruit nuances, full body, velvety soft tannins and whisper of smoke make this Tuscan treasure an ideal companion to meats such as beef, lamb, wild boar and other hearty game, as well as earthy mushrooms and rich meat sauces for pasta. This wine has stunning ageability, and will happily rest in your wine closet for another 10-12 years.  If now is the time, though, the tannins will seduce you with grilled lamb chops drizzled with an aged balsamic reduction, next to roasted potatoes.  Braised beef with porcini mushrooms will hold its own beautifully with the full body of this Poggio Il Castellare.  Tis the season for rabbit, and this Tuscan red works like a charm with rabbit with brussel sprouts, parsnips, pancetta and a warm carrot vinaigrette.  You won't be able to stop at just one bottle, so offer the next one with an aged Italian Pecorino cheese and dried fruit. Nobody's going to want to go down for their long winter's nap once they get a mouthful of this Brunello...

Size:  750ml; cork
Varietal:  Sangiovese Grosso
Alcohol:  14.5%
Aging:   36 months in Allier oak barrels with a size of 30hl and 50hl. Minimum of 12 months bottle aging.
Region:  Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
Limited Production:  3,300 dozen made