2019 Palazzo Vecchio “Maestro"

The Story
"If you’re like me, you love and appreciate Sangiovese based wines from Tuscany.  Chianti, Brunello and Rosso’s from various villages are familiar to Italian wine lovers.  But don’t forget Vino Nobile di Montepulciano when selecting Tuscan wines for your cellar!  Many are very good quality wines at reasonable prices, and this 2019 Palazzo Vecchio Maestro is a fine example.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is located in south-eastern Tuscany, between Montalcino and the border with Umbria.  It’s an historic denomination reflected in the name of the top wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.  Vineyards in Vino Nobile are planted on east and south-east facing slopes at elevations of 750-1800 feet with the higher vineyards producing more aromatic wines due to a longer ripening season.

Often confused with the grape Montepulciano which is grown primarily in Abruzzo, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a region that produces a wine made predominantly of Sangiovese, the key grape in Tuscany.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has become an excellent alternative to Brunello di Montalcino.  The wines must be aged for a minimum of 2 years, with a mandatory period of 12-24 months in wood so they display plenty of complexity at a good value." -Joe Consul, DipWSET

Winery Background
Palazzo Vecchio sits atop a shallow hill in southern Tuscany, in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG . It’s surrounded by vineyards neatly bisected by five dirt roads. Today the estate is run by Maria Louisa Sbernadori on behalf of her family. Her grandfather bought the property in 1950, primarily as a shooting estate.

Pruning, harvesting and grape selection are performed by hand, ensuring only the best fruit ends up in the wine.  Palazzo Vecchio uses natural fertilizations as part of their commitment to increasingly "clean" and sustainable agriculture.

Varietal
Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) 85%, Canaiolo Nero 10%, Mammolo 5%

Wine
Fermented in temp-controlled stainless steel vats then matured for 24 months in neutral French oak casks followed by 12 months in bottle.

Tasting Notes
Elegant smoky nose combining undergrowth, leather, fine hints of rose-hip, jammy black fruits and mild spices.  Very supple mouthfeel with almost creamy tannin, controlled power and persistent, focused aromatic finesse.

Ratings/Reviews/Accolades
Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2022 - Double Gold

Food Pairing
Cold cuts, fresh and aged cheeses, grilled or roasted meats, specifically beef, lamb, wild boar, and duck, and thick meat sauces made from the same meats and mixed with fresh vegetables and tomatoes.

Optimal Drinking Window
Now through 2035.