Labels like this confuse most wine consumers. Let’s break it down.
- Vino Nobile = another term for the grape Sangiovese. The same grape that’s in Chianti
- Montepulciano = a town in southern Tuscany near another famous wine town, Montalcino.
- Riserva = In Italy, this means the wine has seen more barrel aging than usual. Usually a sign of higher quality.
So that label really reads “High-quality Sangiovese from the Tuscan town of Montepulciano,” and that’s pretty spot-on.
Wine Review
In the glass, this shows up ruby-red with aromas of wildflowers and quince. A note of burnt leather is layered into a spicey attack that ends with fennel and cherry. The texture is lush despite the delicate freshness and medium-bodied frame. There is a touch of age on this wine, coming out as orange marmalade and toasted almond on the finish—an outstanding Sangiovese.