A Taste of Italy: Tuscany (2)



Sangiovese - Prugnolo Gentile

 In part 1 one of this feature under the above title, I mentioned that apart from its Chianti's and Brunello's di Montalcino DOCG red wines, Tuscany is also renowned for the production of another Sangiovese clone wine. This wine is the VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO which is produced from a "Sangiovese Prugnolo Gentile" dominated blend which carries the DOCG classification.

The review team have selected two samples of this wine produced by the same winemaker but from different vintages. The wines selected are the CARPINETO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2000 RISERVA DOCG and the 2003 DOCG RISERVA vintages.

Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano produced in good vintages can be cellar aged well up to 15 years, and so both these wines would have opened up, evolved and developed splendidly after 10 years for the 2000 vintage and 7 years for the 2003. Both vintages did not disappoint the review team, who found these wines reminiscent of an exceptional Chianti Classico's perfume, and a splendid Brunello Di Montalcino's richness and robustness combined together, thus making this wine style extremely enjoyable and elegant.

Carpineto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2000 - 2003

Grape Varieties: The Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riservas are produced from a blend of 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), and 30% of Canaiolo and Merlot grape varieties.

Vinification: After pressing maceration of the skins with the must takes place over 10 to 15 days, with frequent gentle pumping over, and under controlled temperatures of 25 to 30 deg.C.

Maturing for 2 years - takes place in large 5,500 liters Slavonian, oval oak barrels with a small part in French oak barrels, in natural caves excavated on the Carpineto estate, which maintain a naturally constant temperature of 13deg.C year round.

Aging: After bottling this Riserva is kept in the winemaker's cellars under temperature controlled conditions for a further 2 years before final release to the consumer. This is a full 12 months more than that required by the DOCG appelation rules for a riserva wine.

The Answer is wine - What was the question?

Tasting Results: This procedure resulted in a medium-bodied wine, having a brilliant ruby red colour with a garnet tendency and orange notes due to the wines' age after release. On the nose, the wine has aromas of dark cherry and rich ripe plums, extraordinarily elegant with floral hints of violet and wood. On the palate the wines are big and creamy and evolve with a rich taste of ripe strawberries, prune and cherry flavours with a hint of tea leaves due to the wine's firm tannins. Forceful tannins and bright acidity makes for a lingering and well rounded finish, and which also make these wines age worthy.

Alcoholic content: 13% by volume.

Enoteca price range: Eur25

RATING: RS91



Bistecca ala Fiorentina.



Ravioli with Red Sauce.

Beef & Walnuts Stuffed Pork Fillet

Beef Stuffed Cannelloni.

Food pairing: Rich Italian and Mediterranean cuisine; roast red meats, lamb; rare beef steaks; Bistecca ala Fiorentina; aged cheeses; game especially wild boar; pasta and pizza.


Choice of Italian and Mediterranean Cuisine.