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

"Plenty of lemon-tart and green-apple aromas and flavors follow through to a medium body, good fruit and a fresh finish." James Suckling

Delicate pink with an onion coloured shimmer. Very regionally fragrant Sangiovese nose, with small red berries, strawberry and dog rose. Fresh and lively, fruity and smooth on the palate with an irresistible flow. SUPERIORE.DE

"This pale-colored rosé is more like a white than anything else, but it delivers plenty of attractive daffodils and spices. Light-bodied and clear-cut, casting citrus fruit against steely acidity crunch." James Suckling

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

"Full-bodied, layered and rich with lovely ripe and beautiful fruit that shows richness and brightness. Love the texture and mouth feel. So much berry and chocolate in a subtle way on the finish. From biodynamically grown grapes." James Suckling

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

Avignonesi's Vino Santo sparkles amber, the bouquet is very intense, persistent and complex, reminiscent of dried fruits, spices and vanilla. The aromatic, immensely dense taste with the explosive sweetness and a precisely measured acid dose is unique. SUPERIORE.DE

"With the Vino Santo, the winery still has in its programme perhaps the most authentic representative of Montepulciano's viticulture. Gambero Rosso

"The 1996 Vin Santo is made from a blend of indigenous white varieties, including Grechetto, Malvasia Toscana and Trebbiano and was aged for an incredible 10 years in small 50-liter barrels prior to being bottled. A dark amber, the wine flows onto the palate with a lush, airy texture that is hard to fully describe with mere words but that recalls some of the great Chambers Rosewood wines from Australia. Expansive and sweet on the palate, it reveals mind-blowing richness and concentration in its kaleidoscope of raisins, dried figs, plums, baking spices, toffee and roasted coffee beans. Despite its full-bodied, unctuous texture, the wine remains remarkably light on its feet and shows incredible detail for such a big wine. In 1996 I actually prefer the Vin Santo to its bigger sibling, the Occhio di Pernice." Robert Parker

"Superthick and packed with toffee and dried nuts, yet with a clean, almost citrusy mineral character. Like a Pedro Ximénez. Wonderful. Do I drink it or pour it over ice cream? Drink it by the teaspoon." Wine Spectator

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