Manufacturer: Avignonesi

The 2010 vintage has grapes from 2 of our vineyard properties, Le Capezzine and I Poggetti. The 2010 growing season was longer than average, due to a cool spring and a warm, but rather rainy summer, which turned into a perfect picking season with hot, dry weather in September and October, leaving the Sangiovese grapes plenty of time to achieve an enviable balance and elegance."

Grapes: Sangiovese

Grape origin: Le Capezzine Estate, close to the village of Valiano, to the northwest of Montepulciano, and I Poggetti Estate, on the Argiano hills, east of Montepulciano

Altitude: 270 - 330 metres a.s.l.

Exposure: Variable, depending on each single vineyard

Soil type: Alkaline, with layers of clay, sand and silt, of Pleistocenic origin at Le Capezzine and of Pliocenic origin at I Poggetti.

Age of the vines: 10 - 39 years old

Training system: Bush trained for the younger vines and guyot for the oldest vines

Vine density: 7,158 vines per ha in the bush trained vineyards

2.564 vines per ha in the old, guyot trained vineyards

Vinification
Harvest: Picked, both by hand and by harvester, on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of September.

Vinification: The fermentation was spontaneous with the use of indigenous yeasts. Alcohol fermentation and maceration on the grapes lasted approximately 20 days.

Ageing: Ageing in oak for 18 months, 80% in barriques and 20% in big barrels. Given the delicate nature of the 2010 vintage, mostly second passage barriques were used.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Total production: 140,000 bottles
Tasting notes
Lots of fresh, mature fruit, typical of Sangiovese, with balsamic notes which give character to the aroma profile. An elegant, full bodied taste with hints of eucalyptus on the long lingering finish. Given the exellent balance between tannins, acidity and fruit, the 2010 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine that will age well

ACCOLADES

SMART BUY
91/100 points. This round version is laced with black cherry and raspberry fruit, showing hints of cocoa and spice. Firm tannins lend support, making this well-balanced overall, with a lingering finish of warm chocolate cake. Drink now through 2022.
Wine Spectator

Confident, grown-up style, combining the classic chewy cherry edge of Sangiovese with extra blackcurrant and damson flavours. There’s also a savoury, earthy character, aromas of vanilla and grilled meat and just the right amount of chewy tannin. Iron fist in velvet glove stuff, very impressive.
www.simonwoods.com

90/100
Avignonesi’s Vino Nobile offers an alluring fragrance of rose petal and balsamic herbs along with cherry and spice accents. The palate delivers restrained black fruit flavors alongside notes of chocolate and licorice... — K.O.
Wine Enthusiast