Avignonesi

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

"Plenty of treacle, licorice, plum liqueur, blackberry tart and vanilla. Full body, medium acidity, ripe tannins and a fruit-forward finish. Structured." James Suckling

Pale pink with an onion shimmer. Very regionally scented Sangiovese nose with small red berries, strawberry and dog rose. Fresh and lively, fruity and palatable with an irresistible flow. SUPERIORE.DE

Intense straw yellow. Full bouquet of almond blossom, some pineapple and white fruits. Vibrating on the palate, with nice freshness and acidity, again very full-bodied and complex with an interesting long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Golden yellow, wide, floral bouquet with a fine wood note and pronounced aromas of light fruit and freshly baked brioche. On the palate full, round and persistent with elegant structure, very long. SUPERIORE.DE

Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Avignonesi created four new wine plots which, after long research and experimentation, were identified as the best to produce the house's future cru cars. Their names are Banditella, Caprile, El Grasso and Oceano. They each give an exciting impression of the complex terroir around the small town of Montepulciano and the results impressively demonstrate the potential that exists in the region that has long been overshadowed by Montalcino.

El Grasso comes from soils of maritime origin rich in clay, silt and limestone. The vines grow at a height of about 300 m above sea level in a south-westerly orientation. Only 3,498 bottles of the vintage 2016 were brought into the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"Supple, featuring burnished plum and cherry fruit, accented by a sweet smoky element. Though this firms up on the finish, where an iron note emerges, this remains elegant, in the modern style." Wine Spectator

Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Avignonesi created four new wine plots which, after long research and experimentation, were identified as the best to produce the house's future cru cars. Their names are Banditella, Caprile, El Grasso and Oceano. They each give an exciting impression of the complex terroir around the small town of Montepulciano and the results impressively demonstrate the potential that exists in the region that has long been overshadowed by Montalcino.

Caprile comes from soils of maritime origin rich in clay, silt and limestone. The vines grow at an altitude of 270-300 m above sea level in a southeasterly orientation. Only 3,499 bottles of the vintage 2016 were brought into the bottle. SUPERIORE.DE

"A suave, polished version, featuring black cherry, plum, leather and sweet spice flavors. A fine core of ripe fruit matches up to a dense structure. Finishes on the savory side, with accents of iron and woodsy underbrush." Wine Spectator

Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Avignonesi created four new wine plots which, after long research and experimentation, were identified as the best to produce the house's future cru cars. Their names are Banditella, Caprile, El Grasso and Oceano. They each give an exciting impression of the complex terroir around the small town of Montepulciano and the results impressively demonstrate the potential that exists in the region that has long been overshadowed by Montalcino.

Oceano comes from soils of maritime origin rich in clay, silt and limestone. The vines grow at a height of about 300 m above sea level in a northwesterly direction. Just 3,379 bottles were bottled with vintage 2016. SUPERIORE.DE

"An elegant style, offering strawberry, cherry, leather and earth flavors, shaded by vanilla and toasty oak notes. Balanced, with subtle, refined tannins gracing the extended finish." Wine Spectator

"Avignonesi has always vinified their different plots separately, assembling them after ageing. In 2015 however, the estate started bottling small quantities of several single vineyards separately in order to show the nuances of Montepulciano. Oceano is made from small, bush-trained vines at 290 metres on limestone-rich clay. It's darkly fruited, all blackberry and black currants, yet lifted by accents of orange zest. The fruit is polished, round and powerful, rending the wine gracious rather than austere. Vigorous, clayey tannins cling to the palate but this finishes on a fresh, tangy note." Decanter

Shortly after the turn of the millennium, Avignonesi created four new wine plots which, after long research and experimentation, were identified as the best to produce the house's future cru cars. Their names are Banditella, Caprile, El Grasso and Oceano. They each give an exciting impression of the complex terroir around the small town of Montepulciano and the results impressively demonstrate the potential that exists in the region that has long been overshadowed by Montalcino.

La Banditella comes from soils of maritime origin rich in clay, silt and limestone. The vines grow at an altitude of about 320 m above sea level in a northerly direction. 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

Grifi is a wonderfully sophisticated and elegant pleasure from the best locations around Montepulciano and Cortona. Brilliant deep ruby red, complex fragrance of ripe red fruits, black berries, olive and tobacco. Beautifully balanced and harmonious in taste, silky tannins, well structured, the wood note excellently integrated and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"This offers up more of a floral edge with notes of crushed violets, dried lavender and dried herbs. Full body, ripe tannins and a medium-long finish." James Suckling

"A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, this opens with aromas of forest floor, scorched earth, leather and tobacco along with a whiff of blue flower. The full-bodied polished palate evokes dried Marasca cherry, cassis, licorice and espresso set against firm, fine-grained tannins." (Cellar Selection) Wine Enthusiast

"The 2015 Grifi is equal parts Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend works well, as the Cabernet adds an extra kick of mid-palate depth as well as a tannic backbone that gives the wine persistence and energy. Black cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice and mint build into this beautifully delineated wine." Antonio Galloni

Only vinified 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 delicate raspberries. On the palate powerful and pithy, much tight, present tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"You'll notice that this wine is no longer labeled "Riserva." Avignonesi wanted to reduce the time it spends in oak and made the name adjustment accordingly. This seems like a good idea to me. The 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate gives new life to one of Tuscany's most historic wines. There is more elegance and finesse here. I must say that past vintages have been a disappointment, but this expression seems to break all ties with the past. Fruit is sourced primarily from the Banditella vineyard that tends to produce more austere and concentrated Sangiovese. Indeed, this wine is highly redolent of black fruit, tar, licorice and even a touch of white mushroom. Everyone loves a comeback story and that's what you get here." Robert Parker

"Austere initially, with tightly wound and gruff tannins shoring up sweet black cherry, floral, earth, tar and eucalyptus notes. Elegant and long on the minerally finish, but needs time." Wine Spectator

Only in the best vintages vinified and matured 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 delicate raspberries. On the palate powerful and pithy, much tight, 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 In Grandi Annate Toscana Sangiovese Biologico is a very beautiful wine. Sweet red cherry, mint, rose petal, licorice and dried herbs are inviting. Pliant and silky on the palate, with soft tannins, the 2015 is absolutely gorgeous. All the elements fall into place in a soft, open-knit Vino Nobile that is racy and yet retains a good bit of freshness. The classy Grandi Annate is another winner from Avignonesi." Antonio Galloni

"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

50 & 50 - Tuscan cult wine from 50 percent Merlot of Avignonesi and 50 percent Sangiovese of Capannelle. Deep, dense ruby-violet; distinguished, very elegant nose with clear notes of ripe cherries, some blackberry, wonderfully balanced. A rich attack on the palate, shows a lot of fruit, then unfolds a densely structured tannin, long finish with light tobacco notes. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant ruby with a fine garnet edge. Intense and clearly marked nose, smells of cherries, raspberries, some cardamom, then also plum, multi-layered. Develops with firm, gripping tannin, deep, builds up beautifully, lots of juicy fruit, in the aftertaste long after pomegranate." Falstaff

"So much rich and decadent blackcurrant character with crushed violets and stones, lots of dust and plenty of vanilla, walnuts and cedar. Full body and a dense and structured palate with extremely refined yet ripe tannins. A long finish that the acidity keeps well knit." James Suckling

"This is always such a curious and special wine. The 2012 50 & 50 does a great job of showing the prickly side of Sangiovese next to the soft side of Merlot. This wine represents a celebrated blend of two varieties from two of Tuscany's best estates. One is located near Cortona on the eastern side of Tuscany and the other is inside the Chianti Classico appellation. The wine shows great detailing with sharp fruit and spice on evident display. The intensity of the vintage (due to warmer than average growing conditions throughout the summer) is also evident in terms of the wine's textural richness." Robert Parker

"The 2012 50&50, Avignonesi's wine done in partnership with Capannelle, is very pretty. Succulent red cherry and raspberry fruit show quite a bit of energy and floral infused lift that gives the wine a very attractive upper register. Soft, medium bodied and gracious, the 2012 is a terrific choice for drinking now and for the next few years at a minimum." Antonio Galloni