Winemaker Notes
A great pairing with traditional dishes such as roasts, game and mature cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
This historic Montepulciano property was recently passed onto the next generation of the della Seta family, and are now pursuing organic certification. Predominantly Prugnolo Gentile, with a pinch of Canaiolo Nero and Merlot, the 2015 is a standout, exhibiting rare elegance for the vintage. It is medium-weight, with depth and complexity given by hints of spice, orange, lavender and tea. Firm, chalky tannins need some time to resolve, but will lend mid-term ageability. Drinking Window 2019 - 2029
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Wine Enthusiast
This wine's pressed violet, dark-skinned berry and star anise aromas waft out of the glass. Mirroring the nose, the elegant, juicy palate doles out ripe black cherry, black plum and licorice notes set against fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2027.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
This significant Tuscan village—not to be confused with the red grape of the same name widely grown in Abruzzo and the Marche regions—was home to one of the first four Italian DOCGs granted in 1980.
Based on the Sangiovese grape (here called Prugnolo Gentile), the village’s prized wine called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ranks stylistically in between Chianti Classico, for its finesse, and Brunello di Montalcino for its power. With a deep ruby color, heavy concentration and a firm structure given by the village's heavy, cool clay soils, most Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will demand some bottle age.