Avignonesi

Intense straw yellow. Full bouquet of almond blossom, some pineapple and white fruits. Vibrant 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 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.

Oceano comes from soils of maritime origin, rich in clay, silt and limestone. The vines grow at about 300 m above sea level in a north-western orientation. Just 3,379 bottles were filled 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

"Love the blueberry and strawberry character with hints of cream and toffee. Medium-bodied, integrated and finely grained with a beautiful, creamy texture. Hint of bitterness at the end. From biodynamically grown grapes." 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

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.

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

"A silky, refined red that’s firm and creamy in texture. Berries, strawberries and a hint of cedar on the nose and palate. Minerally. From biodynamically grown grapes." James Suckling

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

"A soft, fruity red with berry and plum character. Some chocolate. It’s medium-bodied. Vivid and refined for the vintage." James Suckling

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

"A very solid red, showing aromas and flavors of berries and blackberries with black olives and walnuts . Full and chewy tannins add pull and excitement. Flavorful and intense at the end. Needs two or three years to soften." 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

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

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

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 pressed Vin Santo from the red grape variety Prugnolo Gentile. Dense and dark after 10 years of barrel aging, rich with aromas of dates, dried plums and fruitcake. Sweet aroma with sensual flavors 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 light garnet shimmer, very dense bouquet, clear, concentrated and inviting, after noble dark chocolate, lots of blackberry. Intensive dark berry fruit notes on the palate, fine-grained tannin, discreet mineral tones. A great Merlot from the Cortona region with a long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A soft, fruity red with berry and plum character. Some chocolate. It’s medium-bodied. Vivid and refined for the vintage." 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

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

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

"Cherry and blackberry fruit is tinged by oak spice in this powerful red. A coating of stiff tannins holds this upright, while the fruit, leather and spice notes play out on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Grandi Annate is a wine that has made a most impressive turnaround. The 2013 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate shows the confidence and the pride of its current incarnation. To my nose, this wine speaks the precise language of the appellation. The bouquet is broad and accessible with Sangiovese-driven tones of dried cherry and moist earth or tobacco. But like many of its peers, the bouquet here is more horizontal if you will instead of being vertical. The tightness of the wine's textual composition is what stands out most and there is a hint of cherry sweetness that adds to the volume and density you feel on the finish." Robert Parker