Avignonesi VIN SANTO Cortona Montepulciano

La Selva estate in Cortona is also responsible for grapes that go into Desiderio, a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It has the fleshy intensity that characterises the best Tuscan Merlots, but is given definition by its superb tannin structure. (6 x 75 cl)

A blend of 85 % Chardonnay and 15% Sauvignon Blanc the grapes were hand picked, then destalked, crushed and pressed. The must was fermented in barriques of which 80% was new oak and 20% used oak. The wine was aged in barriques for 6 months, then in bottle for six months before release. Great care from the vineyard to the winery has produced a wine with a rich, biscuity nose characteristic of lightly oaked Chardonnay. Full-bodied and intense on the palate but not overwhelming, it has good length and attractive acidity. Avignonesi is one of the great names of Italian wine. Ettore and Alberto Falvo have, over the past 30 years, taken a small estate and built it into a paradigmatic producer that has put Montepulciano on the map. The modernisation that took place at Avignonesi in the 1970s and early 1980s abated somewhat towards the end of the latter decade, but new energy has once again been injected into the business by the next generation of Falvos. Avignonesi has four estates, two in Montepulciano and two in the DOC zone of Cortona, situated to the east of Montepulciano in the foothills of the Apennines. These estates have about 115 hectares of vineyard and have been the area of greatest focus for Avignonesi over the past decade. Ettore Falvo has translated his passion for alberello training into the new vineyards planted on their estates. New Sangiovese vineyards are planted at a density of 7500 vines per hectare and the modified alberello they are using ensures earlier ripening, which has given fuller, riper wines than Montepulciano was previously capable of producing. (6 x 75 cl)

Characteristics: Il Marzocco has golden hue tending to amber; its bouquet is intense, fruity and full; its taste is aromatic, persistent and dry, but remarkable full bodied. Avignonesi is one of the great names of Italian wine. Ettore and Alberto Falvo have, over the past 30 years, taken a small estate and built it into a paradigmatic producer that has put Montepulciano on the map. The modernisation that took place at Avignonesi in the 1970s and early 1980s abated somewhat towards the end of the latter decade, but new energy has once again been injected into the business by the next generation of Falvos. Avignonesi has four estates, two in Montepulciano and two in the DOC zone of Cortona, situated to the east of Montepulciano in the foothills of the Apennines. These estates have about 115 hectares of vineyard and have been the area of greatest focus for Avignonesi over the past decade. Ettore Falvo has translated his passion for alberello training into the new vineyards planted on their estates. New Sangiovese vineyards are planted at a density of 7500 vines per hectare and the modified alberello they are using ensures earlier ripening, which has given fuller, riper wines than Montepulciano was previously capable of producing. (6 x 75 cl)

Occhio di Pernace is Avignonesi's Vin Santo made solely from Sangiovese. Only 700 bottles of the 1991 vintage were made and so availability is strictly limited. Available in half bottles. (3 x 37.5 cl)

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo combines purity of fruit with great elegance. The wine is garnet in colour, its nose intense yet elegant and the palate rich yet tight and sinewy. Avignonesi is one of the great names in Italian wine. The Falvo brothers, who owned vineyards in the district of Cortona, took over Avignonesi in 1974 and invested heavily in the estate. They used indigenous grapes and also introduced international varieties alongside native grape varieties. Today, Avignonesi has 115 hectares of vineyard split between four estates. Two of the estates, Le Capezzine and I Poggetti, are situated in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano zone, while the other two, La Selva and La Lombarda, are located further to the east in the Cortona D.O.C. zone. Grapes for the Vino Nobile are sourced from La Stella vineyard on the Le Capezzine estate, as well as three vineyards on the I Poggetti estate. The use of alberello “bush or goblet” training ensures earlier ripening, something which in turn has given fuller, riper wines than Montepulciano was previously capable of producing. (12 x 37.5 cl)

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo combines purity of fruit with great elegance. The wine is garnet in colour, its nose intense yet elegant and the palate rich yet tight and sinewy. Avignonesi is one of the great names in Italian wine. The Falvo brothers, who owned vineyards in the district of Cortona, took over Avignonesi in 1974 and invested heavily in the estate. They used indigenous grapes and also introduced international varieties alongside native grape varieties. Today, Avignonesi has 115 hectares of vineyard split between four estates. Two of the estates, Le Capezzine and I Poggetti, are situated in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano zone, while the other two, La Selva and La Lombarda, are located further to the east in the Cortona D.O.C. zone. Grapes for the Vino Nobile are sourced from La Stella vineyard on the Le Capezzine estate, as well as three vineyards on the I Poggetti estate. The use of alberello bush or goblet training ensures earlier ripening, something which in turn has given fuller, riper wines than Montepulciano was previously capable of producing. (12 x 75 cl)

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 5% Mammolo combines purity of fruit with great elegance. The wine is garnet in colour, its nose intense yet elegant and the palate rich yet tight and sinewy. Avignonesi is one of the great names in Italian wine. The Falvo brothers, who owned vineyards in the district of Cortona, took over Avignonesi in 1974 and invested heavily in the estate. They used indigenous grapes and also introduced international varieties alongside native grape varieties. Today, Avignonesi has 115 hectares of vineyard split between four estates. Two of the estates, Le Capezzine and I Poggetti, are situated in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano zone, while the other two, La Selva and La Lombarda, are located further to the east in the Cortona D.O.C. zone. Grapes for the Vino Nobile are sourced from La Stella vineyard on the Le Capezzine estate, as well as three vineyards on the I Poggetti estate. The use of alberello bush or goblet training ensures earlier ripening, something which in turn has given fuller, riper wines than Montepulciano was previously capable of producing. (12 x 75 cl)

The outstanding Vino Nobile produced by Avignonesi is their Grandi Annate, a blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Avignonesi DESIDERIO Cortona Merlot DOC from Italy, Tuscany by Avignonesi Powerful Reds (12 x 75 cl)