Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Another Great Sangiovese Wine from Tuscany

Other producers to look for include Dei who first made Vin Nobile di Montepulciano in 1985.  These are a bit more middle of the road in style.  The wines have rich fruit without lots of obvious oak.  Their basic wine is 80% Prugnolo gentile, and 15% Canaiolo nero and 5% Mammolo.  It retails for around $25.  Their Riserva is 100% Prugnolo gentile and sells for $45. 

Boscarelli is another producer to be on the lookout for.  Founded in 1962 by Paolo de Ferrari Corradi, their Vin Nobile di Montepulciano is 80% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot.  The wine is aged in oak and is on the more modern side.  In good vintages, it has a wonderful elegance about it which retails for around $40.  They also make a single vineyard bottling called Vin Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna del Noci which is 80% Sangiovese, 5% Mammolo, 15% Merlot grown in the Nocio vineyard, planted in 1972, and named after a large, ancient nut tree ("nocio") in the vineyard.  This wine retails closer to $70. 

Fattoria del Cerro is a winery that was first established in the 1920’s.  It was purchased by its present owners in the late 1970’s.  Their wines are very fruit forward and quite good.  A blend of Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) 90%, Colorino 5%, Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo 5% retails for $20.  They also make a Riserva ($50) and Vigneta Antica Chiusina which is a single vineyard wine of Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) 90%, and Colorino 10% which retails for $80. 

Look for the same vintages that have been kind to the rest of Tuscany.  Outstanding vintages have been 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2004.  Just a bit less in quality as a general rule but still good were 1998, 2000 and 2005.  2002 was weak and rainy and the wines often thin and diluted while 2003 was hot and the wines often come off as either raisiny or under ripe.  Vin Nobile di Montepulciano wines, for the most part are ready to be drunk on release, although I would recommend an hour in a decanter for the younger wines.  In a good vintage, these wines will cellar well for ten to fifteen years. 

Tuscany has wonderful foods.  I would recommend matching these wines to Tuscan foods.  Pastas with tomato sauces, Risottos and even pizza are excellent accompaniments.  The wines in their youth are great at the table but can also be sipped on their own.  With age, these are wines that really should be served with food. 

Along with Chianti and Brunello, Vin Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine that every Tuscan wine lover should get to know.  I hope you go out and try a bottle.  Please let me know what you think. 

Loren Sonkin is an IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder/Winemaker at Sonkin Cellars.