Tenuta Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1995

This is a detailed report on the Tenuta Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1995- an icon of Tuscan viticulture that combines elegance, power and exceptional ageing potential and is counted among Italy's great red wines.

🏰 The winery: Tenuta Col d'Orcia

The Tenuta Col d'Orcia estate, whose name means "hill above the river Orcia", is one of the most historically significant estates in the region (see ). The origins of the estate date back to the 17th century, but its modern era began in 1973 when it was taken over by the Cinzano family (known from the spirits trade), who successfully developed it into a flagship for top-class Brunello.

🌿 The cuvée: Poggio al Vento - a top-class rarity

The wine comes from the exclusive "Poggio al Vento" vineyard of the same name. It was only planted in 1974 and is located at an altitude of 350 metres above sea level near the village of Sant'Angelo in Colle. The south-facing slopes with optimal sunlight, the calcareous and stony soils and the special microclimate create ideal conditions for the Sangiovese Grosso grape variety (locally known as Brunello).

📅 The 1995 vintage in Tuscany

The 1995 vintage was not an easy one in Tuscany, but it was a very good vintage that benefited in particular from the old, deep-rooted vines. A wet spring was followed by a warm, dry summer with two saving rain showers in the middle. Rain at the beginning of September delayed the harvest, which was then carried out in perfect, hot and dry conditions in the second half of the month. These conditions resulted in healthy, fully ripe grapes with thick skins and a high sugar content. The 1995 Poggio al Vento also benefits from the outstanding ripening potential of the Col d'Orcia wines.

👨‍🌾 Vinification and ageing

The production follows a traditional but highly precise philosophy:

• Hand-picking and selection: After a strict pre-selection in the vineyard, the grapes are selected again on the conveyor belt in the cellar.

• Vinification: Maceration for 25 daysin large stainless steel tanks with daily punching down and pumping over to ensure gentle extraction of colour and tannins.

• Ageing: The wine matured for 4 years in a combination of large Slavonian oak and Allier oak barrels and then for a further 18 to 24 months in the bottle.

👅 Sensory profile and reviews

The Poggio al Vento 1995 is described by critics as a wine of exceptional class. It combines the power typical of Brunello with remarkable elegance and silky tannins.

Official tasting notes:

• Colour: Deep, almost impenetrable ruby red with delicate garnet reflections, demonstrating its youthfulness and concentration.

• Nose (aroma):Intense and complex, with a broad, deep primary fruit aroma (marasca cherry, ripe berries), framed by elegant oak spices. There are also mineral and spicy notes of tar, liquorice, undergrowth, mushrooms, chocolate as well as smoky and mentholated accents .

• Palate (flavour): Powerful, structured attack with a full, full-bodied mouthfeel. The ripe acidity lends energy and freshness. The tannins are ripe, refined and well integrated. The finish is long, intense and harmonious .

Awards and ratings:

• DoctorWine: 98/100 points

• Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 95+ points (even "spectacular" in magnum format)

• Tastingbook: 92/100 points

• The official description of the winery itself speaks of an "overwhelming attack" and a "soft, flattering finish".

💰 Price, availability and drinking window

Due to its limited availability and advanced age, the wine is rarely offered on the market.

• Current market value:The few available bottles are traded on the collector's market at prices that often exceed 200 euros (e.g. 194.61 USD at Tannico, but not in stock ). A magnum bottle (1.5 litres) can fetch prices of over 15,000 Hong Kong dollars (HK$ 15,695.00), which underlines its extreme collector's value. On average, the wine is traded online for around €210.00.

• Drinking maturity & ageing potential: This wine is an extreme long-distance runner. The recommended drinking window extends into the early 2030s (approx. 2035). Careful ageing is of course crucial at this age.

• Availability:It is usually no longer possible to order this historic vintage directly from the winery. Occasionally, bottles appear at specialised online retailers, auction houses or in collection liquidations.

💎 Summary

The Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1995is much more than just a wine; it is a living testimony to the art of wine and the terroir of Tuscany. It combines the pure power of Sangiovese with the finesse of decades of ageing and offers an exceptional taste experience. For collectors and connoisseurs, this wine is one of the most sought-after objects and is a valuable discovery for anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a bottle.