Il Conventino Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2021

Il Conventino Riserva 2021, the blood of Montepulciano

In this Vino Nobile, Sangiovese takes the lead, joined by three other Tuscan grape varieties in small proportions. What holds my attention here is the balance between an appellation sometimes overshadowed by its neighbor Brunello and an organic approach, attentive to the grapes as much as to their aging. For you who love red wines with character without chasing a flashy label, this Riserva deserves a place at the table.

Montepulciano, Sangiovese as heritage

Il Conventino is located in Montepulciano, in southern Tuscany, at the heart of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG area. This appellation, around the town, has a long winemaking history, even if it is today less often cited than that of Brunello di Montalcino. The estate was acquired in 2003 by brothers Duccio and Alessandro Brin, lawyers by training and wine enthusiasts, who chose to pursue their project of producing great wines. This 2021 is made from 85% Sangiovese, complemented by 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino and 5% Mammolo. The grapes are grown organically and harvested by hand.

Vinification begins in stainless steel tanks. The available information does not entirely agree on the aging duration: it indicates 30 months in Slavonian oak barrels, but also 36 months in foudres. I prefer to point out this discrepancy rather than smooth it over. For tasting, the sources do not give detailed notes on color or precise aromas: it is therefore impossible to promise a particular color or bouquet. They do, however, place the wine halfway between fruity and spicy, with a medium to full structure and a fairly discreet expression of wood. Sangiovese, the dominant grape, is described as naturally lively and tannic; here, these reference points give an idea of the style, without replacing a true sensory description of the vintage.

At the table, without ceremony

I would serve it with white meats, charcuterie or red meat, pairings suggested for this wine that let the Sangiovese accompany the dish without fuss. Open it for a meal where you take the time to stay at the table, rather than for a rushed tasting. If you want to explore Montepulciano beyond its most famous names, this organic Riserva offers a concrete starting point: a blend dominated by Sangiovese, from a family estate by choice, within an appellation well rooted in Tuscan winemaking.