Notes:

Here is another knock-out bottle in this group of new releases from Fattoria le Pupille. The 2022 Poggio Valente is punchy and bright with terrific clarity of fruit. Winemaking has shifted over the years to prioritize larger oak botte. This change has allowed for more varietal expression with blue flower, heritage rose, tart cherry, rye bread and crushed stone. The wine's flavor signature is wholly Mediterranean with hints of rosemary and lavender. The effect is especially luminous and lifted in 2022. This is an elegant wine with a unique voice.  Wine Advocate 95+

Producer: Fattoria Le Pupille is located in the Maremma in southwestern Tuscany, near the town of Grosseto, and is led by Elisabetta Geppetti. The estate has played an important role in establishing the reputation of modern Maremma wines, working with both native Tuscan grapes and international varieties. Sangiovese is central to the estate’s identity through wines such as Morellino di Scansano and Poggio Valente, while Saffredi represents its work with Bordeaux varieties. Poggio Valente was first produced in 1997 and is the estate’s single-vineyard Sangiovese bottling. The wine is classified as Toscana IGT and is made from 100% Sangiovese. The 2022 carries 14.5% alcohol.

Vineyard: Poggio Valente comes from the estate’s namesake vineyard in Pereta, Magliano in Toscana, in the hills of the Maremma. The vineyard sits at approximately 350 meters above sea level with a southwestern exposure. Soils have a sandy surface layer over material of sandstone origin mixed with clay, combining drainage with enough water-holding capacity to support the vines during warm, dry periods. The current vineyard was planted between 1996 and 2005 at approximately 4,500 vines per hectare and is trained using spur-pruned cordon. The combination of elevation and exposure provides substantial sunlight for ripening Sangiovese while helping the wine retain the acidity and aromatic definition necessary to balance the naturally ripe character of the Maremma. The 2022 vintage produced a particularly concentrated expression of the vineyard, with critics noting both the ripeness of the year and the wine’s preserved freshness and varietal character.

Winemaking: The Sangiovese for the 2022 Poggio Valente was harvested during the second half of September. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks at approximately 26°C, followed by an extended 30–35-day maceration. The wine matured for approximately 15 months in 500- and 600-liter oak vessels, with only about 20% new oak. The estate has progressively shifted Poggio Valente toward larger-format oak, reducing the influence of smaller barrels and allowing Sangiovese and the vineyard’s Mediterranean character to remain more prominent. Monica Larner specifically noted this evolution in the winemaking when reviewing the 2022, associating the move toward larger oak with greater varietal expression. The finished wine shows cherry, pomegranate, Mediterranean herbs, spice, undergrowth and licorice, with firm but refined tannins and fresh acidity supporting the ripe fruit of the vintage.

Food Pairing: Poggio Valente’s combination of Sangiovese acidity, ripe fruit, savory Mediterranean character and structured tannins makes it well suited to Tuscan and other meat-based dishes. Pair with wild boar stew with polenta, pappardelle al cinghiale, bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled lamb chops, roast pork, beef ragù, porchetta, grilled sausages, tomato-based pasta, roasted mushrooms, aged Pecorino Toscano, or Parmigiano Reggiano. The producer specifically recommends wild boar stew with polenta, a pairing that matches the wine’s acidity and tannins with the richness and game character of the dish.