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Poggio al Gello in Gambero Rosso

Gambero Rosso's annual publication of Italian wines is regarded as the authoritative guide to the country's wines covering all regions. For over 25 years, a selection of the best cellars are reviewed and their wines rated and, more important, commented on. Ratings are, famously, one to three glasses with the coveted Tre Bicchieri keenly fought over. Piedmont regularly comes out top in the Tre Bicchieri round-up with Tuscany close behind.

From our list of suppliers, many are too small to be on the radar of the Gambero Rosso team although Fabrizio Battaglino has been a regular for the last few years. It is very surprising that Nada Giuseppe hasn't made it in yet but Cantina Rizzi's entry is well-deserved as is that of Giovanni Manzone. I would not be surprised if others find their way in soon.

In Tuscany, we currently only work with two estates, one from just outside Volterra, a terribly unfashionable area for wine-growing although Alberto Antonini clearly thinks it has great potential. The other estate is Poggio al Gello in Montecucco.

Today I received an excited email from Alda and Giorgio: they have made it into Gambero Rosso with Due Bicchieri for both the Rosso and Riserva - the Rosso made it to the finals, no mean feat for such a young estate with an output of a mere 20,000 bottles!

The range comprises four wines, one only just released so we have not yet tasted it and one already sold out so we have just the Rosso 2010 and Riserva 2011 wines in stock for now. Anyone who enjoys Brunello di Montalcino but doesn't like the price tag would be well advised to take a look at these excellent Sangiovese wines.

Our congratulations go to Alda and Giorgio, of course. And to our readers, we suggest you check out the wines if you have not already done so - Fantastico!

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