Avignonesi – Montepulciano, Tuscany

The Estate is synonymous with the qualitative growth of Tuscany’s Montepulciano zone, through the late 1970s from its roots in the 16th Century. Passing into new hands in 2008 the developments have moved from the winery to the vineyards. Converting to biodynamic agriculture with organic production, the parcels are now fermented and aged individually allowing their character to shine.

The Da-Di (Chinese for ‘Earth, Soil’) is 100% amphora aged Sangiovese, fermented with indigenous yeasts. The Rosso di Montepulciano is a warm, lightly spiced Sangiovese with notes of balsamic and red fruits. The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is aged for 12 months in barrique and a further 6 months in large Slavonian oak. Dried violets and cherries mingle with the red fruits and dusting of spices on the finish. The single vineyard Vino Nobile series are all vinified in the same manner, allowing the nuances of the individual Sangiovese plots to shine through. Grace and purity are the hallmarks of the Caprile, delicate and elegant. The fresh and elegant La Banditella is a vivacious and vibrant expression. The El Grasso is a fresh and opulent mediterranean stlye, finishing high and sweet. Giving voice to the mattaione clay of the Avignonesi estate, the Oceano shows a well structured and powerful intensity. The Desiderio Merlot is 85% Merlot & 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cortona DOC to the east of Montepulciano. Multi-layered sweet spices and berry fruits mingle with eucalyptus, mint and roses. The Grifi is a blend of bush vine Cortona Cabernet Sauvignon and Montepulciano Sangiovese from 40 year old vines. The Cabernet is aged in new French oak 225l barriques, the Sangiovese in 2nd and 3rd passage barriques for 16 months. This is dark with dusty menthol and blackcurrant lifted by blueberry and floral tones. The 50 & 50 is, as the name suggests, a blend of equal parts Sangiovese and Merlot. This cult wine was first produced after the 1988 vintage and partners Sangiovese from the renowned Chianti Classico producer, Capannelle, with Avignonesi’s Montepulciano Merlot. Made to benefit from extended aging, this offers black cherry, wild strawberry and myrtle with silken tobacco, leather and vanilla flavours. Made in only the best years, the Grandi Annate is a blend of the finest parcels from the best Sangiovese vineyards. Crafted from only the best Trebbiano and Malvasia, the Vin Santo is dried for several months on reed mats and aged for a decade in caratelli, small 50 litre oak barrels, oweing much of its character to the madre, a centuryold yeast. The Sangiovese grapes for Occhio di Pernice undergo the same process as the Vin Santo, resulting in a wonderful array of liquid caramel, candied berry fruits and plum marmalade.