Avignonesi

Intense ruby red colour and with a bouquet reminiscent of wild fruits, joined by fresh grass and fine spicy notes, accompanied by a hint of cedar wood. Its taste is wonderfully round, harmonious, full-bodied and rich in silky tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Fine, fragrant nose of dried tomatoes and raspberries, some sealing wax, cherries, then distinct pepper tone and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate of medium structure but expressive, with beautiful cherry fruit, tightens up juicily, pithy and prancing, really fun." Falstaff

Brilliant ruby red with violet reflections. Delicate scent of strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants, which flows towards together with a hint of cinnamon. Balanced, fresh and firm taste, supported by a lively acid structure, harmonious and long. A delightful, uncomplicated drinking pleasure with a convincing finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The name Da-Di is derived from Chinese and means earth/soil. It underlines not only the organic cultivation of the vines, but also the subsequent ageing in 11 Tuscan terracotta amphorae. The result is a fascinatingly fresh, precise and varietally pure Sangiovese that is a joy to drink from the very first sip.

Intense bouquet of cherries, ripe raspberries, currants and wild strawberries. Complex, lively, almost explosive on the palate with beautifully pronounced primary aromas such as sour cherry and black cherry, accompanied by floral accents. The well-proportioned tannin and the agile fruit-acid interplay underline all the advantages of the Sangiovese grape and the long finish is introduced by a freshness and at the same time delicate sweetness that only the ageing in amphorae can produce. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wickedly fresh and floral, the 2020 Rosso Da-Di wafts up with sweet lavender, mint and crushed pomegranates. There are masses of concentration here, yet it’s not heavy in any way as purple-tinged florals and wild berry fruits cascade across the senses. There’s incredible length as well and a subtle tug of round tannin. The Rosso Da-Di is a wonderfully complete and, quite simply, lovely amphora-aged Sangiovese." Vinous

Avignonesi's classic shows a lean to medium body, offers seamless tannins and a delicious flavour profile. Intense ruby red with garnet hues. On the nose, aromas of red berries, cherry and pomegranate and the unmistakable scent of violets so typical of the Sangiovese grape, with a hint of vanilla and Mediterranean herbal spice in the background. Well balanced in the drink, with beautiful primary notes of ripe cherry and plum. The warm, ethereal body is embedded in a dense tannic structure and leads into a long, persistent finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dusty dried cherries, currants and florals, crushed stone and a lifting hint of smoke all waft up from the 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It’s silky and elegant in feel, casting ripe red berries and saline-minerals across the palate, slowly saturating the senses with a tug of grippy tannins. This tapers off with a perfumed coating of red florals and dried berries. I expect the 2017 to have a pleasurable yet limited drinking window, needing a year or two of cellaring to come fully together." Vinous

"A very attractive red with plum and berry character. Some chocolate and walnut, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish." James Suckling

"Certified organic and following the principles of biodynamic viticulture, this lovely red opens with enticing scents of camphor, pressed rose petal, forest floor and licorice. Smooth and savory, the linear, elegant palate delivers juicy cranberry, pomegranate, coffee bean and orange zest alongside taut but extremely refined tannins. Surprisingly fresh acidity for the hot vintage keeps it balanced." Wine Enthusiast

Golden yellow, wide, floral bouquet with fine wood notes and distinct aromas of light fruit and freshly baked brioche. Full, round and persistent on the palate with elegant structure, very long. SUPERIORE.DE

"A creamy, fruity white with sliced cooked apples, lemons and hints of vanilla. It’s full-bodied, layered and delicious." James Suckling

Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Avignonesi planted four new wine plots, which after long research and experimentation were identified as the best to produce the future cru-mobiles of the house. Their names are Banditella, Caprile, El Grasso and Oceano. Each of them gives an exciting impression of the complex terroir around the small town of Montepulciano and the results impressively demonstrate the potential of the region, which has long been in the shadow of Montalcino.

La Banditella comes from soils of maritime origin, rich in clay, silt and limestone. The vines grow at about 320 m above sea level in a northern orientation. SUPERIORE.DE

"One of five limited production, single-vineyard offerings from Avignonesi, the north-facing Banditella vineyard is the last to ripen. It sits at 300 to 320 metres above sea level and the soil is sandy with abundant pebbles and varying degrees of calcium-carbonate. This is a fragrant, vertical wine with nuances of rosehip, violets and mint, along with refreshing acidity asserting itself throughout. Though the tannins aren't immense, they are firm and powdery in texture. The subtle rustic edge remains charming and a saline finish lingers with herb blossoms." Decanter

"This is polished and lush, with plum, black cherry, iron and tobacco flavors, accented by smoky oak. Balanced, but give this a year or two to integrate more fully. Offers a firm, lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of cherries, smoke and hints of tobacco and fresh herbs. Full body. Tangy and chewy with lovely intensity and length. Shows energy and freshness. From biodynamically grown grapes." James Suckling

Rich, dark ruby with a slight garnet shimmer, very dense bouquet, clear, concentrated and inviting, of noble dark chocolate, lots of blackberry, flowers and liquorice. Intensive dark berry fruit notes on the palate, fine-grained tannin, discreet mineral tones. A great, supple and very characterful Merlot from the Cortona region with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is well-constituted with black cherry, plum, earth and cedar flavors, despite a firm grip of tannins holding this back for now. The supple texture offsets the underlying structure, and the finish is long." Wine Spectator

"A gorgeous merlot with so much plum, olive, chocolate and fresh herb, such as tobacco. It’s full and focused with a dense center palate, yet it remains lively and focused. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2024, but already wonderful to taste and drink." James Suckling

The combination of two such different personalities as Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon blend ingeniously in Grifi, giving this wine a unique character. The Cabernet gives the wine an extra kick of depth in the mid palate as well as a tannic backbone that gives the wine plenty of stamina and energy.

Dark ruby red with violet reflections. The nose opens with hints of blueberries, blackberries and incense to sandalwood and graphite. The palate is dense and complex with hints of blackberry jam and cinnamon. On the palate, it then develops like a balsamic explosion, supported by good acidity. The lively tannin accompanies the spicy and persistent, very linear finish. Grifi is a wonderfully sophisticated and elegant pleasure from the best sites around Montepulciano and Cortona. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Fragrant nose of violets and juicy cherries, shows fine red pepper tones, also liquorice in the finish. On the palate with pressure and lots of juice, shows light wood tannin, long in the finish, with minimal tasting, currently still young, will develop well." Falstaff

Starting with the 2015 vintage, Avignonesi has decided to market the flagship Nobile Grandi Annate "only" as Sangiovese IGT. The reason for this is that the Consortium Vino Nobile DOCG imposes rigid requirements with regard to maturation vessels and ageing time, which they would like to deviate from in favour of the style and quality of the wine. Vinified only in the best vintages and aged in 20% new and 80% used barriques, Grandi Annate is certainly not only one of the rarest, but also one of the best single-varietal Sangiovese in the region. Sparkling, dense garnet, it smells intensely of liquorice, pickled cherries and delicate raspberries. Powerful and robust on the palate, lots of taut, present tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"An elegant, firmly structured style, featuring cherry, plum, berry, iron and earth flavors. Balanced and long, but needs a few years to absorb the dusty tannins. Sangiovese." Wine Spectator

"The 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate is a powerful, expressive wine. Sweet red cherry, mint, sage, blood orange, tobacco and cedar all grace this mid-weight Vino Nobile from Avignonesi. The 2015 is done in the more restrained style favored by the estate today, so it is a pretty understated wine, all things considered." VINOUS

"Orange peel and plums with hints of cedar on the nose. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish. A very solid wine as always. Needs a year or two to soften before drinking." James Suckling

A few years ago, six leading DOCG wineries joined forces to form the "nobile alliance": Salcheto, Poliziano, La Braccesca, Dei, Boscarelli and Avignonesi. They are pursuing the ambitious goal of bringing Montepulciano's terroir to perfection in the bottle. Leading this project are Ashleigh Seymour and Matteo Giustiniani, the winemakers of Avignonesi. They not only monitor the quality of the Sangiovese grapes, which all grow in the Poggetto di Sopra vineyard, but are also responsible for the vinification in the cellar.

The alkaline clay soil of the single vineyard Poggetto di Sopra is crossed by a vein of blue sodium clay. It is rich in silt, limestone and prehistoric marine sediments. All this makes for a tension in the wine that is as delicate as it is intense. Add to this a vintage of the century like 2016, and the course is inevitably set for success.

Sparkling ruby with garnet reflections. Impressive aromas of blueberry, cherry, clove and thyme on the nose. Dense and multi-layered on the palate, yet powerfully forward, with a clear focus on ripe fruit, minerality and with a tightly woven, soft tannin like velvet and silk. This archetype of an energetic Nobile spans a wide arc, revealing its noble origins with every sip. Great ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Old-school Sangiovese, revealing iron, sanguine, juniper and leafy underbrush notes surrounding cherry and strawberry fruit. This is dry, with a long, complex and firm aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Balsamic whiffs of camphor align with ripe dark-skinned fruit, exotic spice and leather aromas. Vibrant and linear, the elegantly structured palate features dried black cherry, cassis and licorice before a coffee-bean finish. It's still young so give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"Made with organic fruit, the 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Poggetto di Sopra is a silky and pure Tuscan red, with the natural fruit intensity and the acidity to pair with a hearty baked eggplant dish. The bouquet is fragrant and bright with dried cherry, cassis, smoke, tar and burning ember. This bottle is part of the Alliance Vinum, or the small group of estates dedicated to safeguarding Vino Nobile and the culture surrounding this historic wine appellation. Each producer in the alliance makes a single-vineyard expression of Sangiovese, and this is the contribution from the forward-thinking Avignonesi estate." Robert Parker

"Blueberries, dried oranges, aniseed and nutmeg. Medium to full body, racy but structured tannins and loads of driven, mineral acidity. The purity of fruit and transparency here will set your palate on fire." James Suckling

"Virginie Saverys and Max Zarobe reset Montepulciano's most famous name, Avignonesi, having bought it outright in 2009. This beautifully constructed, site-specific Sangiovese is juicy and smooth, its textural richness showcasing Vino Nobile's intrinsic generosity without letting it become confused and burdensome as before." Decanter

Vinified only in the best vintages and aged in 20% new and 80% used barriques, the "Grandi Annate" is certainly one of the best Nobile in the region. Sparkling, dense garnet, smells intensely of liquorice, pickled cherries and delicately of raspberries. Powerful and robust on the palate, lots of taut, present tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

Starting with the 2015 vintage, Avignonesi has decided to market the flagship Nobile Grandi Annate "only" as Sangiovese IGT. The reason for this is that the Consortium Vino Nobile DOCG imposes rigid requirements with regard to maturation vessels and ageing time, which they would like to deviate from in favour of the style and quality of the wine. Vinified only in the best vintages and aged in 20% new and 80% used barriques, Grandi Annate is for us one of the best single-varietal Sangiovese of the region.

Sangiovese Grandi Annate from the top Tuscan year 2016 impresses with its freshness and enveloping notes of wild strawberries and liquorice. The palate is punchy, rich and luxurious, with a delicate vanilla note and a brilliant, complex finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, brightening garnet red. Opens with slightly chocolaty notes, juicy cherry and raspberry. Shows well-developed fruit in the attack and course, grippy tannin, hearty and gripping." Falstaff

"Very pretty cherry and berry character with hints of citrus and cedar. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely length." James Suckling

"The 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate is fabulous. Powerful and structured, with tons of intensity, the 2016 delivers the goods. I imagine it will be even better in a few years’ time. Bright Sangiovese red fruit, vibrant acids and lifted floral, cedar and tobacco accents all come alive in the glass. I would prefer to cellar the 2016 for at least a few years to allow the tannins to soften. If opened before that, it needs a number of hours to fully open. Impressive." Vinous

50 & 50 - Tuscan cult wine made of 50 percent Merlot from Avignonesi and 50 percent Sangiovese from Capannelle. Bright ruby with a fine garnet rim. Noble, very elegant nose with clear notes of ripe cherries, some blackberry, wonderfully balanced. Rich approach on the palate, shows a lot of fruit, then unfolds a densely structured tannin, long final with subtle tobacco and pomegranate notes. SUPERIORE.DE

"Blackberries with some black cherries and violets on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with creamy, tight tannins and a fresh, shy finish. This is always a little tight. Try after 2023." James Suckling

50 & 50 - Tuscan cult wine made of 50 percent Merlot from Avignonesi and 50 percent Sangiovese from Capannelle. Bright ruby with a fine garnet rim. Noble, very elegant nose with clear notes of ripe cherries, some blackberry, wonderfully balanced. Rich approach on the palate, shows a lot of fruit, then unfolds a densely structured tannin, long final with subtle tobacco and pomegranate notes. SUPERIORE.DE

"Hints of cedar, balsamic, citrus and red cherry on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins that are fresh and vivid. Tight and reserved, but exciting at the same time. A wine made by Avignonesi and Capanelle." James Suckling

"The 2016 50 & 50 is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Sangiovese. One of the best recent editions of this wine I can remember tasting. Juicy dark cherry, iron, smoke, leather and tobacco all meld together. The marriage of Merlot and Sangiovese works so beautifully here. Time in the glass brings out the wine's natural richness." Vinous

"The Avignonesi & Capannelle 2016 50 & 50 represents a historic collaboration between two of Tuscany's iconic estates, one located near Montepulciano and the other in Gaiole in Chianti. An equal blend of Merlot and Sangiovese, this is a beautifully rich and determined wine with sharply delineated black fruit that veers towards Japanese plum, blackberry, spice and cured leather. Both grapes are persuaded to show their most elegant and soulful side in this classic vintage." Robert Parker

Rich, dark ruby with light garnet shimmer, very dense bouquet, clear, concentrated and inviting, of noble dark chocolate, lots of blackberry, flowers and liquorice. Intensive dark berry fruit notes on the palate, fine-grained tannin, discreet mineral tones. A great, supple and very characterful Merlot from the Cortona region with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is well-constituted with black cherry, plum, earth and cedar flavors, despite a firm grip of tannins holding this back for now. The supple texture offsets the underlying structure, and the finish is long." Wine Spectator

"A gorgeous merlot with so much plum, olive, chocolate and fresh herb, such as tobacco. It’s full and focused with a dense center palate, yet it remains lively and focused. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2024, but already wonderful to taste and drink." James Suckling

Caramel-coloured Vin Santo with intense aromas of toffee and dark chocolate, enriched by acacia honey and Mediterranean herbs. Notes of freesia, candied orange peel and French pastry. On the palate, this intriguing sweet wine reveals a blend of fig, almond and lemon flavours, then roasted coffee beans. The perfect balance between acidity and sweetness lead into a sensual finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2001 Vin Santo di Montepulciano (375 milliliters) is a divine and superbly delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The results are super concentrated and simmered down to a virtual reduction sauce of deliciousness. There are so many aromas to name, but some of the most evident highlights include candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, toasted coffee bean, vanilla stick, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow rose. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and deeply layered. I'm suggesting a slightly shorter drinking window here compared to the Occhio di Pernice. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I'm pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone of legal drinking age." Robert Parker

"Thick in consistency, with aromas and flavors of dried fig, espresso, macadamia nut and raisin. Intensely sweet, offering lingering accents of leather and cigar. For all the unctuousness, this stays balanced and finishes clean." Wine Spectator

Golden yellow, wide, floral bouquet with fine wood notes and distinct aromas of light fruit and freshly baked brioche. Full, round and persistent on the palate with elegant structure, very long. SUPERIORE.DE

"A creamy, fruity white with sliced cooked apples, lemons and hints of vanilla. It’s full-bodied, layered and delicious." James Suckling

Occhio di Pernice means eye of the partridge and refers to the salmon red colour of this lightly vinified Vin Santo from the red grape variety Prugnolo Gentile. Dense and dark after 10 years of barrel ageing, rich in aromas of dates, dried plums and fruitcake. Sweet aroma with sensual flavours of lemon, salted caramel with warm French pastry. This wine lingers in the memory long after the last sip. SUPERIORE.DE

Rich, dark ruby with a slight garnet shimmer, very dense bouquet, clear, concentrated and inviting, of noble dark chocolate, lots of blackberry, flowers and liquorice. Intensive dark berry fruit notes on the palate, fine-grained tannin, discreet mineral tones. A great, supple and very characterful Merlot from the Cortona region with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is well-constituted with black cherry, plum, earth and cedar flavors, despite a firm grip of tannins holding this back for now. The supple texture offsets the underlying structure, and the finish is long." Wine Spectator

"A gorgeous merlot with so much plum, olive, chocolate and fresh herb, such as tobacco. It’s full and focused with a dense center palate, yet it remains lively and focused. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2024, but already wonderful to taste and drink." James Suckling

Rich, dark ruby with light garnet shimmer, very dense bouquet, clear, concentrated and inviting, of noble dark chocolate, lots of blackberry, flowers and liquorice. Intense dark berry fruit notes on the palate, fine-grained tannin, discreet mineral tones. A great, supple and very characterful Merlot from the Cortona region with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is well-constituted with black cherry, plum, earth and cedar flavors, despite a firm grip of tannins holding this back for now. The supple texture offsets the underlying structure, and the finish is long." Wine Spectator

"A gorgeous merlot with so much plum, olive, chocolate and fresh herb, such as tobacco. It’s full and focused with a dense center palate, yet it remains lively and focused. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2024, but already wonderful to taste and drink." James Suckling

Caramel Vin Santo with intense aromas of toffee and dark chocolate, enriched with acacia honey and Mediterranean herbs. Notes of freesia, candied orange peel and French pastry. On the palate, this fascinating sweet wine reveals a blend of fig, almond and lemon aromas, followed by roasted coffee beans. The perfect balance between acidity and sweetness leads to a sensual finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2001 Vin Santo di Montepulciano (375 milliliters) is a divine and superbly delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The results are super concentrated and simmered down to a virtual reduction sauce of deliciousness. There are so many aromas to name, but some of the most evident highlights include candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, toasted coffee bean, vanilla stick, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow rose. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and deeply layered. I'm suggesting a slightly shorter drinking window here compared to the Occhio di Pernice. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I'm pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone of legal drinking age." Robert Parker

"Thick in consistency, with aromas and flavors of dried fig, espresso, macadamia nut and raisin. Intensely sweet, offering lingering accents of leather and cigar. For all the unctuousness, this stays balanced and finishes clean." Wine Spectator

Starting with the 2015 vintage, Avignonesi has decided to market the flagship Nobile Grandi Annate "only" as Sangiovese IGT. The reason for this is that the Consortium Vino Nobile DOCG imposes rigid requirements with regard to maturation vessels and ageing time, which they would like to deviate from in favour of the style and quality of the wine. Vinified only in the best vintages and aged in 20% new and 80% used barriques, Grandi Annate is for us one of the best single-varietal Sangiovese of the region.

Sangiovese Grandi Annate from the top Tuscan year 2016 impresses with its freshness and enveloping notes of wild strawberries and liquorice. The palate is punchy, rich and luxurious, with a delicate vanilla note and a brilliant, complex finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, brightening garnet red. Opens with slightly chocolaty notes, juicy cherry and raspberry. Shows well-developed fruit in the attack and course, grippy tannin, hearty and gripping." Falstaff

"Very pretty cherry and berry character with hints of citrus and cedar. It’s medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely length." James Suckling

"The 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate is fabulous. Powerful and structured, with tons of intensity, the 2016 delivers the goods. I imagine it will be even better in a few years’ time. Bright Sangiovese red fruit, vibrant acids and lifted floral, cedar and tobacco accents all come alive in the glass. I would prefer to cellar the 2016 for at least a few years to allow the tannins to soften. If opened before that, it needs a number of hours to fully open. Impressive." Vinous