'Sacromonte' Rosso, Castello di Potentino, Tuscany 2016

Potentino is a magical place with vineyards surrounding a magnificent 14th-century fort. It is, in my view, the most beautiful estate in all Tuscany.

Potentino's organic wines, made in small batches by hand, are equally magical - my favourite is their Sacromonte Rosso 2016. It is 100% Sangiovese, with over seven years of bottle age. Now, deliciously mature, it offers soft flavours of cherries and ripe red fruit along with a hint of spice and a lovely, underlying minerality. An utterly gorgeous wine - I always have a case in my cellar! Potentino (In fact, if ever youre in Tuscany, you can and should visit, have lunch and/or stay at Potentino I cannot more strongly recommend it.)

Having stayed at Castello Potentino several times (including for the wedding of my youngest son who was married there, where Sacromonte was served at the festivities), I know all the estate’s wines well.

In fact, if ever you’re in Tuscany, you can and should visit, have lunch, and/or stay at Potentino - something I also strongly recommend.
- Esme Johnstone

About Castello di Potentino:
The setting couldnt be more idyllic, where four, rolling hectares of vineyard surround the 14th-century Castello di Potentino and on a site dating as far back as the mid-11th century. For some, its the most beautiful wine estate in all Tuscany. Here, very near to the Brunello di Montalcino denominazione, English proprietors Charlotte Horton and Alexander Greene have been making wine organically since having begun their renovation of the building in 2000.

Owing to the areas unique micro-climate and mixed volcanic soils, the Greenes are able to grow three of the most site-sensitive varietals together in one small vineyard: Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Alicante. Their delicious, handmade wines undergo minimum intervention, whereby varietals express their essence here, ever so seductively.