Poggio alle Nane by Le Mortelle is a tribute to the Maremma region, which is both wild and refined at the same time. A red wine that carries the weight of Antinori's winemaking history but with the lightness of the sea breeze that shapes its grapes. The name of this label has an interesting history that takes us back in time. “Poggio alle Nane” refers to the area where the vineyards are located, once home to local ducks, known locally as “nane”, which populated the hill and nearby lakes. Beyond folklore, the Le Mortelle estate covers 270 hectares a few kilometres from Castiglione della Pescaia. This area has enormous potential, thanks to its proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, its warm climate and the temperature variations provided by the nearby hills. Here, the medium-textured soils are composed of sand, silt and clay, with a significant presence of skeleton: a perfect mix for grapes that seek structure and complexity, but also a savoury and mineral verve. The heart of this red wine is a blend based on the two pillars of Bordeaux: Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, to which a small percentage of Carménère is added. The grapes, harvested by hand with extreme care and selection, ferment in stainless steel truncated cone tanks for about 20 days. The young wine is then transferred to new French oak barriques for malolactic fermentation and subsequent ageing, which varies between 16 and 24 months depending on the vintage. This passage in wood does not cover up, but rather supports the explosiveness of the fruit, working like a tailor to refine the tannins and integrate them into a silky, dense texture. In the glass, Poggio alle Nane impresses with its intense and deep ruby red colour, which often turns purplish when young. The nose opens with intense aromas of ripe black fruit, such as blackberry, blackcurrant and red plum, followed by a spicy wave of cloves, liquorice and a sophisticated hint of tobacco and dark chocolate. There are also balsamic and fresh notes of eucalyptus and mint that balance its richness, making it vibrant. In the mouth, it is enveloping and powerful, but never heavy. The tannins are present, dense, but at the same time smooth and refined. The finish is long and persistent, with a pleasant return of toasted cocoa and myrtle. It is a wine of great character, a real joy for the senses. To best appreciate this bottle, we can pair it with sliced beef with porcini mushrooms and truffles or stewed wild boar with polenta. It is also excellent with mature sheep's milk cheeses.