The 7 Best Vino Nobile di Montepulciano TuscaRed Wines to Buy Now
Azienda Agricola Poliziano, Fattoria del Cerro, Carpineto
Most wine drinkers know Brunello di Montalcino, may be less familiar with the lighter and more easy drinking alternative known as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The beautiful hilltop town of Montepulciano was first settled by the Etruscans in the 4th century BCE and the wine region was the first in Italy to have earned the coveted status of DOCG (Denominazione di Origne Controllata e Garantita.) This gorgeous mountain village is one of Tuscany’s most popular sites for fascinating history and stunning views, it is also the center of production of one of the region’s most important wines, whose moniker is often simply shortened to Vino Nobile, which translates from the original Italian to “noble wine.” It was called “the king of all wines” by 17th century poet Francesco Redi in his historical work entitled “Bacchus in Tuscany.”
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must be made with a minimum of 70 percent Sangiovese and may be blended with local grapes such as Canaiolo, Mammolo, and Colino, as well as international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Winemakers here have a few options for aging including up to 24 months wood and up to 18 months wood and remaining months in other vessels, allowing for flexibility and preference. Riserva wines must be aged for a total of three years prior to release, with at least six months of that in bottle. Thomas Jefferson is believed to have loved these wines and today they are enjoyed by Italian nobility and discerning wine lovers the world over. Here are the seven best Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to drink now.
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Poliziano Le Caggiole 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Image Credit: Azienda Agricola Poliziano This estate honors the Montepulciano-born poet Angelo Ambogini whose nickname was Poliziano. Many of the estate’s wines are named after his greatest works, however Le Caggiole pays tribute the vineyard where the grapes for this delightful wine are grown. The 2019 is now seven years old and it is drinking just perfectly. It has aromas of caramelized orange peel, red raspberry, and red cherry with a sturdy tannic backbone to support flavors of cherry, white pepper, and mandarin pith.
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Poderi Sanguineto 2022 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Image Credit: Poderi Sanguineto Owner Dora Forsoni began working with her father in the vineyards in 1968 and for years most of their grapes were sold to other producers. In 1997 she began making and bottling her own wines under the Poderi Sanguineto label and almost immediately began receiving critical acclaim. Her 2022 Vino Nobile is a blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, and Mammolo that is aged for three years in oak. It offers aromas of cherry, plum, and lifted eucalyptus and flavors of black plum, red raspberry, and Bing cherry.
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Carpineto 2020 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva
Image Credit: Carpineto Antonio Mario Zuccheo and Giovanni Carlo Sacchet founded Carpineto in 1967 with the goal of planting low-yielding vines that produced high-quality fruit to make excellent and distinct wines. They carefully chose appropriate plots of land and paid careful attention to soil types and exposure to the sun and were very particular about the clones of Canaiolo and Sangiovese they planted. We’ve been fans of Carpineto for a long time and try to taste their new releases every year because they continuously offer amazing value for a wine of this quality. Their 2020 Riserva has aromas of red plum, black raspberry, and bright cherry with flavors of tomato leaf, plum, and dried Mediterranean herbs all wrapped in voluptuous tannins.
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Boscarelli 2020 Sotto Casa Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva
Image Credit: Boscarelli Born into a family with a long history of aristocratic nobility, Egidio Corradi studied economics and worked as an international broker for a few years, but wanted to make wine, so in 1962 he purchased abandoned farmland in the DOCG of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and planted grapevines. He eventually transferred the day-to-day operations of the winery to his daughter and son in law and today thir- generation Luca and Nicolo run the estate. Boscarelli Sotto Casa 2020 is a delightful riserva wine that offers aromas of brown baking spices, raspberry, black plum, and vanilla. It is generous and full bodied with flavors of cherry, espresso, dark chocolate, and a touch of dried herbs in the finish.
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Cantine Dei Bossona 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva
Image Credit: Cantine Dei Bossona Alibrando Dei purchased land in Bossona in 1964 and planted his first vineyard. He then acquired the neighboring property Villa Martiena in the 1970s and expanded his holdings. Today his granddaughter Caterina Dei runs the estate and together with her winemaker and technical director Paolo Caciorgna are making amazing wines from grapes grown in the DOCG. Their 2019 Bossona has ethereal aromas of red currant, fennel frond, and bright red cherry with exceptionally balanced acidity and flavors of crushed violet petals, dried cherry, and red raspberry.
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Avignonesi 2021 Vino Poggetto di Sopra Alleanza Nobile di Montepulciano
Image Credit: Avignonesi Ettore Falvo founded Avignonesi in 1974, naming it after his wife’s family, who could trace their noble roots back to the 16th century. He sold the estate to Belgian lawyer Virginie Saverys in 2009, and she began the arduous transition to organic and biodynamic growing principles. Saverys recently turned over management of the estate and winery to her children Basile and Eline Aloy in 2024 and together they continue the tradition of making exceptional wine. Their 2021 Pogetto di Sopra Alleanza is exceptionally well made with aromas of vanilla, cherry, and red plum. It is full bodied and generous in the palate with flavors of violet, cherry, and a touch of anise seed in the finish.
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Fattoria del Cerro 2019 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva
Image Credit: Fattoria del Cerro Fattoria del Cerro is one of the largest estates, if not the largest estate producing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG wines in Tuscany. It covers just about 1,500 acres of land of which 230 are registered to produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Visitors to the area should make time to stay at the 13-room boutique hotel or at the very least have lunch or dinner at the stunning restaurant. While you’re there make sure to enjoy the 2019 Riserva, which has aromas of mocha, vanilla, black cherry, and brown baking spices with soft, rounded tannins and flavors of cocoa, black raspberry, and black plum.
