Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022

Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022, the Sangiovese of the hills

In this Montepulciano red, the Sangiovese is both generous and precise: ripe cherry and violet open onto a discreet touch of orange zest. I love this blend of juicy fruit, ripe tannins and clean acidity, which makes you want to take your time without weighing down the tasting.

Montepulciano, an attentive expression of the terroir

This Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2022 comes from the northeastern hills of Montepulciano, in the province of Siena. It is made exclusively from Sangiovese, hand-harvested and then carefully sorted. Avignonesi is a historic estate, founded in 1974 and named after the founding family. Since 2009, Virginie Saverys has been at the helm and champions an approach focused on respect for nature and sustainability. The estate spans 182 hectares spread across nine vineyards; biodynamics is presented there as a way of working the vine and its environment, beyond a simple technique.

The winemaking extends this search for a clear expression of the grape variety: fermentation is spontaneous, in stainless steel tanks, with a maceration that can last up to thirty days on the skins. The wine then ages eighteen months in barriques and large Slavonian oak casks. In the tasting, the color is that of a red, while the nose combines ripe cherries, soft violets and a light accent of orange peel. On the palate, the fruit feels juicy and the texture velvety; the ripe tannins remain present without hardening the whole, supported by precise acidity. The finish, floral and nuanced, lingers with elegant intensity. The wine comes from organic farming and is also listed as vegan.

At the table, to keep the conversation going

I would serve it with dishes that leave the Sangiovese room to speak: roast meat, pasta with a mushroom sauce, or a piece of aged pecorino. The ripe fruit and tannins should find a nice echo in these flavors, while the acidity brings lift to the table. You can also keep it for a weekend meal where you take the time to follow its evolution in the glass. This vintage combines wood aging, freshness and floral depth without straying from the thread of the grape variety. If you want a Tuscan red to savor slowly, Avignonesi 2022 offers a lovely opportunity to return, sip by sip, to the hills of Montepulciano.