1999 Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice, 100ml

Avignonesi is named after the family that founded this Montepulciano estate. In 2009 the estate was bought by Virginie Saverys, a Belgian lawyer. The 500-acre estate is mostly in the Montepulciano appellation, although there are two vineyards in the Cortona appellation. The estate makes red and white wine, and vin santo. Gambero Rosso calls Avignonesi “one of Tuscany’s most respected producers with wines that consistently win kudos worldwide.”

Montepulciano is wedged between Montalcino to the west and Chianti to the north. A hilltop town like Montalcino, Montepulciano didn’t get much notice from international wine enthusiasts until the 1980s when some of the area’s innovative producers replanted vineyards and started producing more distinctive wines. The primary red grape is the Sangiovese clone Prugnolo Gentile though Canaiolo Nero is also grown and blended. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG may be entirely Sangiovese or a blend of at least 70% Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero, a grape that softens Sangiovese. Rosso de Montepulciano DOC is made of the same grapes but by law must be aged a minimum of only six months, compared with a minimum of two years for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. There are also Montepulciano IGT wines, which refer to wines from the area but not made according to the regulations of the other two appellations. In general, the reds of Montepulciano have softer tannins than Brunello and are less acidic than Chianti. Montepulicano is also famous for its Vine Santo, a white dessert wine.