Few estates in Montalcino can count an in-house enologist as an owner, but Giuseppe Gorelli of Le Potazzine is just that. Before founding his own estate, he worked as an enologist at the Consorzio del Brunello for 15 years with the great Giulio Gambelli, the man behind Pergole Torte and the 100% Sangiovese movement in Tuscany. In the late 1980s, Giuseppe came home to roost at his father's tiny estate near Castiglione del Bosco, known as Due Portine, and started making traditionally-crafted, artisan Brunello, which he produced from vintages 1987 to 1998. In 1993, while running Due Portine, Giuseppe and his wife Gigliola purchased a 3.5 hectare farm at 500 meters above sea level right next door. They named it 'Le Potazzine,' which in the dialect of Montalcino it describes a highly-colored bird noted for its loveliness and happiness, after the nickname Gigliola's mother had given her two young daughters. In 1998, Giuseppe's father sold Due Portine, and the couple concentrated their efforts at Le Potazzine. The results thrilled clients and critics alike, and though it was the "moment of the barrique," Giuseppe and Gigliola never felt the need to experiment or change. The wines were always laser pure expressions of Montalcino terroir with an appealing elegance, and they remain so today. Fermentations at the cantina are traditional: done at ambient temperature and long – up to 30 days for both Brunello and Rosso. Both wines age in Slavonian oak casks of 30-50 hectoliters; Brunello for 42 months, and Rosso up to 12 months. All of Le Potazzine's vineyards (now measuring 5ha with an extra 1.5 ha purchased in Sant'Angelo in Colle) are classified for the production of Brunello, so the Rosso is of course declassified Brunello. Giuseppe has always worked organically, but from 2019 all wines will be certified organic (even if not stated on the label).
Wine Enthusiast 92 "Fragrant and all about finesse, this has lovely scents of forest berries, blue flowers and wild herbs. It's ethereally elegant but also firm,
Wine Enthusiast 99 Cellar Selection "Earthy aromas of blue flower, rose, underbrush and leather mingle together on this gorgeous, fragrant red. All about finesse and flavor, the
Vinous Media 99 "The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva captivates as it slowly blossoms in the glass, but this is a wine that is truly worth
Vinous Media "The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino seduces with a classic bouquet of wildflowers, savory herbs and red woodland berries. Its wonderfully pure; yet it shows
Wine Advocate 89 "The 2016 Rosso di Montalcino opens to a darkly saturated color with ripe aromas of black fruit and cherry. The bouquet is characterized
Wine Enthusiast 92 "Fragrant blue flower, red berry and balsamic notes set the tone for this delicious red. The elegantly structured palate delivers wild cherry, crushed
Wine Advocate 97 "The Le Potazzine 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is immediately bright and energized. The wine is sprightly and lively. This is an elegantly medium-weight
Vinous Media 96 "Bright red. Sweet, spicy red cherry, blueberry compote and powdered rocks on the nose are complicated by herbs and ink. Rich, dense and
Wine Advocate 96+ "Le Potazzine Gorelli makes very distinctive expressions of Brunello that reflect a sort of secret truth about the Sangiovese grape. The effect is
Wine Advocate 96 "Beautifully etched, focused and sharp, the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the best wines released this vintage in Montalcino. This is
Wine Enthusiast 99 "Captivating scents of pressed violet, dark spice, perfumed berry, new leather and balsamic eucalyptus notes reveal the wine's elegance and pedigree even before
Wine Advocate 93 - "I was very impressed with the 2009 Brunello di Montalcino. The wine hits the senses from all sides, offering a refined sense
Wine Spectator 93 "Aromas of currant, blackberry and light vanilla. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and lovely fruit. Enticing and refined. Best after 2009. 1,335 cases made.
Robert Parker 93 "The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino, which competes with the best Giuseppe Gorelli has made to date, is a dark garnet in color, rich
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