La Braccesca | Antinori

In the Middle Ages, it was a monk from Montepulciano Abbey who was the first to write down how to make wine from the local grapes. Sabatino Lulli, known as Sabazio, left behind no major works – just a few lines about the local grape varieties and how they were processed. La Braccesca has given its name to a wine that reflects this modesty: direct, fresh and uncomplicated. The Marchesi Antinori estate covers 500 hectares on the border between the Val di Chiana and the hills of Montepulciano, at an altitude of around 280 metres. 85% Prugnolo Gentile – the local Sangiovese clone that gives Rosso di Montepulciano its characteristic freshness and fruitiness – complemented by 15% Merlot, which contributes body and smoothness. Both varieties are harvested separately: the Merlot in mid-September, the Prugnolo Gentile a month later. Separate fermentation in steel, short malolactic fermentation in large casks, followed by four months' ageing. Fresh, light, with no hint of oak.

Achelo is named after the river god Achelous, whose horned head appears time and again in Cortona's Etruscan art – a motif featured on La Braccesca's Cortona DOC Syrah. The grapes come from the vineyards of the Antinori estate between Montepulciano and the hills of Cortona, on loamy-clay soil. Established in 1999, the Cortona DOC is regarded in Tuscany as one of the few appellations producing excellent Merlot and, above all, Syrah. Following fermentation in stainless steel tanks, part of the wine is aged in previously used French barriques, whilst the remainder remains in the stainless steel tanks.

The Counts of Bracci have bequeathed their name and coat of arms to this estate: an arm in armour raising a sword. La Braccesca – the word alludes to "braccia", meaning "arm". When the Marchesi Antinori took over the estate in 1990, they brought it into the modern era without alienating it from its history. The first Vino Nobile from this estate was released in the same year – since then, La Braccesca has been one of the appellation’s most reliable producers. The Nobile di Montepulciano is made from Prugnolo Gentile – Montepulciano's local Sangiovese clone – complemented by a small proportion of Merlot, which rounds out the wine without dominating it. The grapes come from the estate's three historic sub-zones: Cervognano, Santa Pia and Gracciano, all of which are recognised as top DOCG vineyards on the hills surrounding Montepulciano.