Poggio di Guardia is nestled atop the peaks of the Chianti mountains, at the highest point bordering Chianti Senese and Valdarno Superiore. Owners and winemakers Federico Cercelli and Stefano Di Blasi have rejuvenated a plot that lay fallow for forty years, restoring old vineyards and planting new ones in a region previously considered too cold for proper grape ripening. The Primula Veris '21 is an elegant white, primarily viognier and incrocio Manzoni. Its rich straw-yellow color is the prelude to ripe peach, Mediterranean scrub, and subtle smoky notes. On the palate, it's rich and fruit-forward, held together by a refreshing acidity, concluding with a gentle, slightly astringent finish. The Poggio di Guardia '18, a Bordeaux blend with a touch of rebo, ages in French oak and, for the rebo portion, in terracotta. Structure and concentration are the watchwords, yet it finds harmony in the integrity of its fruit and finesse of its tannins, leaving a lasting impression with its fruit-forward finish accentuated by balsamic nuances and Mediterranean scrub.
