Podere Poggio Scalette became an autonomous wine-producing estate in 1991 when Vittorio Fiore, one of Italy’s famed winemakers, and his wife Adriana Assje di Marcora acquired several neglected plots of land and a rural building on the hill of Ruffoli in the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation.

The first part of the estate was expanded in 1996 with the addition of an adjoining property, including functional cellars, bringing the property to a total of 40 hectares subdivided into vineyards, olive groves, grain fields, woods, buildings and uncultivated areas.

Poggio Scalette takes its name from the configuration of lovely dry stone walls supporting the terraces on which the vineyards and olive groves are planted, giving the impression from a distance of a series of staircase steps climbing the slopes of the hill of Ruffoli. These slopes are called “Il Carbonaione" by the local peasants and were among the first vineyards to be re-planted following the First World War (and the European phylloxera plague), making the vines more than 80 years old. These vines are from an important member of the Sangiovese family, the “Sangiovese di Lamole”, producing grapes with intensity and character.

The estate is directly run by Adriana and son Jurij Fiore, a graduate of the School of Viticulture and Oenology of Beaune in Burgundy, with the overall supervision of Vittorio Fiore.

Podere Poggio Scalette ‘Il Carbonaione’, named for the terraced slopes of the Ruffoli hill, is fermented in stainless steel tanks, then aged in 350-liter French oak barrels for 14 months. It ages at least another six months in bottle before release.

The 2019 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione is a Sangiovese wine from Tuscany, Italy. This red wine is notable for its robust 14.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a traditional cork closure. Podere Poggio Scalette, the producer, has garnered significant praise for this vintage, which has been reviewed by several professional wine critics.

James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 95 points. In his review on jamessuckling.com, he highlights the wine's "wonderful aromas of sour cherries and orange peel," which he notes lead to a "full body with layered tannins that are creamy and juicy." Suckling anticipates that the wine's structure will benefit from additional aging, recommending that it be consumed after 2024 to allow it to fully develop and soften.

Vinous reviewer Antonio Galloni gave the 2019 Il Carbonaione a score of 93 points, describing it as "silky and racy in the glass." He notes that while the presence of new oak suggests this vintage may not possess the density of the best years, the wine's "ripe red/blush fruit, sweet spice, mocha, and rose petal" make for a promising and lingering flavor profile. Galloni remarks on the wine's excellent track record of aging, suggesting that it will be interesting to see how this vintage evolves over time.

Wine Spectator also provided a favorable review, giving the wine 92 points. The reviewer underscores its "intense, yet supple and fluid" nature, marked by smoky aromas combined with flavors of "blackberry, plum, earth, and charred wood." The wine's lively acidity and firm tannins are balanced, contributing to its fine length. This review also recommends aging, suggesting the wine will be best enjoyed from 2024 through 2035. The production of this vintage was limited, with 2,100 cases made and 600 cases imported.

Overall, the 2019 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione is a well-regarded Sangiovese that promises to age well and develop further complexity and depth with time.