Castellare’s Il Poggiale Riserva is a blend of 90% Sangioveto, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Ciliegiolo from a high-elevation, low-yielding single vineyard with an average vine age of 25+ years. After fermenting in stainless steel, the wine ages for 12 to 18 months in oak barrels, half of which are new, and finally an additional year in bottle.

A testament to the huge potential of the relatively unknown Sangioveto variety, the wine is both elegant and rich, with terrific cellaring potential.

The 2016 Castellare Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale is a red wine produced by Castellare di Castellina in the Chianti Classico appellation of Tuscany, Italy. This wine is primarily composed of Sangiovese, with small amounts of Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo, and has an alcohol content of 13.5%. The wine is sealed with a cork closure.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate praises the 2016 vintage with a score of 94, highlighting the wine's "extreme focus and precision" and describing it as having "a pretty succession of dark fruit aromas followed by spice, leather and baked terracotta." The review further notes that the wine has "lots of depth and dimension with extra ripeness that comes forward as cherry confit and dried blackberry." Parker's review concludes by mentioning that this wine is "worthy of an aged T-bone steak," indicating its robust and complex profile. The blend consists of 90% Sangioveto, 5% Canaiolo, and 5% Ciliegiolo, aged in barrique for 18 months. A total of 14,000 bottles were produced in this vintage.

Wine Spectator also gave this wine a commendable score of 92. Reviewer Bruce Sanderson describes it as "a bright, elegant version," packed with "juicy cherry, strawberry, floral and earth flavors." Sanderson does note that the wine finishes with "dry tannins" but mentions that "the succulence persists, along with an element of sweet fruit." He suggests that the wine will be at its best from 2021 through 2035.

James Suckling from jamessuckling.com also awarded the wine a high score of 94. Suckling highlights the "really intense and beautiful nose of pressed violets, lavender, bay leaf, heather and dried hibiscus tea." He describes it as "full-bodied and big with a wallop of very chewy tannins that remain in tune, thanks to bright acidity," and notes its long finish. He recommends drinking it from 2023 onwards.

The 2016 Castellare Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggiale is a well-regarded wine, appreciated for its depth, complexity, and aging potential. The blend's composition and meticulous aging process contribute to its robust flavor profile, making it a noteworthy choice for wine enthusiasts.