Poggio di Guardia IGT Toscana by Poggio di Guardia 2016

"At the pinnacle of the local red blend food chain at Poggio di Guardia is this merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon based wine made with the use of rebo housed in Terracotta Orcio amphora. Siena used this garrison high point to warn of enemy sightings during the Florentine wars of the Middle Ages and today it houses some of Tuscany's most fascinating vineyards. Oenologist Stefano di Blasi and Gabbiano's Federico Cerelli have transformed these Radda in Chianti blocks into some of the (Chianti Classico) territory's great IGT cru sites. Rebo was created in 1948 by Rebo Rigotti at the San Michele all'Adige research center in Trentino and why it was planted in Chianti Classico is not quite certain. Not dried appassimento style but instead fortified in amphora there are glycerin and dried fruit notes of great tang to support what the Bordeaux grapes just seem to want and need. More ripeness, consistent funk and great grip are hallmarks of 2016 and spice is simply everywhere. The changes of tense, chords and tempo are so unique to this blend and the place. You just have to try it to believe."

94 points - Michael Godel, WineAlign, July 2019