Avignonesi

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, juicy drinking pleasure with a convincing finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Notes of ripe red berries, licorice, cocoa and bark. Ripe but fresh with medium body and fine tannins. Juicy and fruit-forward. Vivid and delicious." James Suckling

The name Da-Di derives from Chinese and means earth/soil. DA-DI bianco was born from owner Virginie Saverys' intuition to rediscover the vocation of the Cortona area for the production of great white wines from autochthonous grapes, and encapsulates all of Avignonesi's love of experimentation.

In the glass, it opens intensely with floral notes of wisteria and lime, white peach and gooseberry. On the palate, the approach is precise and straightforward. Lemon peel, mint and the complexity of wildflower honey emerge. The pronounced acidity makes it long and elegant. In the aftertaste, hints of flint bring back mineral notes. An exciting wine with a distinct and fresh personality. Only 2,100 bottles were produced. 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

"A pure and berry-driven nose with a subtle chalky edge to the red fruit and potpourri. Crunchy and medium-bodied on the palate with a pure and focused finish. Elegant and driven." James Suckling

"The Sangiovese Da-Di 2021 exudes a delightful bouquet of lavender, violets and crushed blackberries. The palate is washed by an intense wave of fleshy, ripe fruit, balanced by a salty minerality and tantalising acidity. The 2021 finishes concentrated and fresh, with blue and purple flowers that linger. The Da-di is a single-vineyard Sangiovese that is refined in amphora, leaving about a third of the grapes in whole clusters during fermentation. It's incredibly fun to taste this wine." Vinous

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

"Fine reductive nose with creamed apples, lemon zest, fine lees and flinty stones. Textured and almost full-bodied on the palate with fresh, high acidity and a subtle and rather mineral finish." 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

"Excellent purity and ripeness to the fruit-expressive nose, but this still has some complexity to offer, too. Some violets, graphite and spices to the fresh blue fruit and slate. I like the texture here on the palate with fresh, fine-grained tannins and a cooling finish. Long, fresh and juicy." James Suckling

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

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

A few years ago, six leading DOCG wineries joined forces to form the "nobile alliance": Salcheto, Poliziano, La Braccesca, Dei, Boscarelli and Avignonesi. They pursue 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.

Poggetto di Sopra comes from a single plot of vines planted in 1978. 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 of this creates a tension in the wine that is as delicate as it is intense.

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. Beautiful potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Subtle roasted spices are chiselled to the pomegranate and grapefruit notes with some savory berries, sage and crushed stones. The taut and transparent center palate is followed by a long and minerally ethereal finish. Beguilingly light in form, but intense with flavors. “Pinot” finesse here." James Suckling

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

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

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

"Ruby red with light garnet reflections. The nose reveals herbal and floral notes of roses and violets, followed by hints of ripe red berries. Powerful and rich on the palate with a juicy and lingering finish." Falstaff

"The Avignonesi & Capannelle 2018 50 & 50 represents a collaborative effort between two of Tuscany's headline wineries, one located in Chianti Classico and the other in Montepulciano. The results show austerity, dark fruit and Old World elegance. Dark cherry and dried blackberry cede to spice and toasted oak, and mineral hints of campfire ember and pencil shaving add definition and focus." Wine Advocate

"The crushed-stone and currant aromas are very attractive. Hints of cedar, too. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Tight and polished. This needs three to four years to open. Try after 2025." 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, followed by roasted coffee beans. The perfect balance between acidity and sweetness lead into a sensual finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mahogany in colour. A fine patina in the fragrance, dried figs, maraschino cherry, coffee, caramel. Very viscous in the mouth, with concentrated grape aromas and at the same time with delicate notes of ageing, the silky sweetness is balanced by perfectly integrated acidity, dense and oily and yet animating, a stylistic masterpiece, matured à point." Falstaff

"The Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2001 (375 millilitres) is a divine and wonderfully delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The result is very concentrated and boiled down to a delicious reduction sauce. There are so many flavours to list, but among the most obvious are candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, roasted coffee beans, vanilla bean, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow roses. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and layered. Compared to the Occhio di Pernice, I recommend a slightly shorter drinking window here. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I'm pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone who has reached legal drinking age." Wine Advocate

"Thick in texture, with aromas and flavours of dried figs, espresso, macadamia nuts and sultanas. Intensely sweet, with lingering accents of leather and cigar. Despite its boisterousness, it remains balanced and finishes clean." Wine Spectator

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

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

"Ruby red with light garnet reflections. The nose reveals herbal and floral notes of roses and violets, followed by hints of ripe red berries. Powerful and rich on the palate with a juicy and lingering finish." Falstaff

"The Avignonesi & Capannelle 2018 50 & 50 represents a collaborative effort between two of Tuscany's headline wineries, one located in Chianti Classico and the other in Montepulciano. The results show austerity, dark fruit and Old World elegance. Dark cherry and dried blackberry cede to spice and toasted oak, and mineral hints of campfire ember and pencil shaving add definition and focus." Wine Advocate

"The crushed-stone and currant aromas are very attractive. Hints of cedar, too. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Tight and polished. This needs three to four years to open. Try after 2025." 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, followed by roasted coffee beans. The perfect balance between acidity and sweetness lead into a sensual finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mahogany in colour. A fine patina in the fragrance, dried figs, maraschino cherry, coffee, caramel. Very viscous in the mouth, with concentrated grape aromas and at the same time with delicate notes of ageing, the silky sweetness is balanced by perfectly integrated acidity, dense and oily and yet animating, a stylistic masterpiece, matured à point." Falstaff

"The Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2001 (375 millilitres) is a divine and wonderfully delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The result is very concentrated and boiled down to a delicious reduction sauce. There are so many flavours to list, but among the most obvious are candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, roasted coffee beans, vanilla bean, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow roses. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and layered. Compared to the Occhio di Pernice, I recommend a slightly shorter drinking window here. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I'm pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone who has reached legal drinking age." Wine Advocate

"Thick in texture, with aromas and flavours of dried figs, espresso, macadamia nuts and sultanas. Intensely sweet, with lingering accents of leather and cigar. Despite its boisterousness, it remains 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

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

"Ruby red with light garnet reflections. The nose reveals herbal and floral notes of roses and violets, followed by hints of ripe red berries. Powerful and rich on the palate with a juicy and lingering finish." Falstaff

"The Avignonesi & Capannelle 2018 50 & 50 represents a collaborative effort between two of Tuscany's headline wineries, one located in Chianti Classico and the other in Montepulciano. The results show austerity, dark fruit and Old World elegance. Dark cherry and dried blackberry cede to spice and toasted oak, and mineral hints of campfire ember and pencil shaving add definition and focus." Wine Advocate

"The crushed-stone and currant aromas are very attractive. Hints of cedar, too. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, polished tannins that run the length of the wine. Tight and polished. This needs three to four years to open. Try after 2025." James Suckling