Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy 2006

What’s in the bottle? ? Garnet color fading to a brick toned rim. Almost opaque in depth and stains the sides of the glass. 2006 was a very ripe vintage and the intensity shows in the color of the wine. The wine displays a very savory bouquet of menthol, floral marjoram, incense, violets and dried sage. It also has a great baking spice element of cloves and allspice with a powerful backdrop of toast, smoke and expensive French vanilla. There is a very rich oak component on the nose. The fruit elements are secondary on the nose as well as the palate. Ripe red raspberry, black cherry and stewed plums. The thread of spices continues on the palate adding cardamom, coriander, and anise. The earth tones of mushroom and wet barnyard pop on the palate as well. The wine is very well balance with medium plus tannins, acid and alcohol. The finish is persistent for about 10 seconds and finishes dry and dusty with hunger inducing acidity.

Knowledge: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (VEE-noh NAW-bee-lay dee mawn-teh-pool-CHAH-noh) historically was the wine for the Noble people of the Montepulciano region. Because of its reputation for quality and air of aristocracy it was made the first DOCG in Italy. It was elevated in 1980 from DOC status to DOCG. Legally the wine must contain a minimum of 70% Prugnolo Gentile (a clone of Sangiovese) and a maximum of 30% combined authorized red and white grapes from the Tuscany region. It must be aged at least two years before release with a minimum of 12 months in barrel.

Service: Served in Bordeaux shaped glasses where the rim tapers in at about 60°F. Decanting for an hour will let the subtleness of the wine come out, but in a great vintage like this, laying it down for several more years may be the best move.

What to eat? Braised short ribs with a coriander spiced tomato sauce cooked all day long.

Retail Price: $24.99

Found it @:

Pope Wines & Liquors
2799-D Route 112
Medford, NY 11763
(516)289-1660

For the Geeks like Me: This particular wine is a blend of 85% Prugnolo Gentile (a clone of Sangiovese), 10% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolino.  It is aged for a total of 36 months of which 18 months is in 2nd passage French oak barrique (225L), and 18 months in large oak botte (400L).