Vittorio Innocenti Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2015

2015
Sangiovese Blend
Vittorio Innocenti

More Wines from Vittorio Innocenti

Our tasting impressions

A really lovely nose with bright, ripe fruit aromas. It's young and a touch fuller and sexier than prior years, but that's to be expected given the vintage. One thing you can always count on from Vittorio is an honest representation of what nature offers his vines. Despite a tannic finish, this is  terrific Vino Nobile and - as always - an incredible value.

 

About this wine

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is, along with Brunello and Chianti Classico, the epitome of Sangiovese-based wines in Tuscany. At their best, Vino Nobile combine the power of Brunello with the finesse of Chianti.

 

Innocenti’s Vino Nobile is a very traditional blend of predominantly Sangiovese (technically Prugnolo Gentile, the name for its local sub-variety) with some Canaiolo and Colorino. Fermentation and maceration, with the skins, lasts 15-20 days. It ages 30 months in oak barrels (only 24 is required) then passes through a wide-grain filter for bottling. It is released much later than most Vino Nobile after bottle aging at least 2 months in the Innocenti's cellar.

 

About the grape

Sangiovese is the most planted grape in Italy and is the dominant grape throughout the central part of the country. There are many variants and even different names like Prugnolo Gentile, Brunello, Sangioveto and Morellino.

 

The grapes are dark and thick skinned, slow-ripening, acidic and tannic. Like Pinot Noir, Sangiovese is heavily influenced by its terroir and similarly can be quite transparent in its differences from place to place.

 

Canaiolo and Colorino are traditional blending grapes for Tuscan Sangiovese. Colorino is sparsely used today. Apropos of the name, its deep pigmentation mostly adds color to the blend but also tannins. Canaiolo balances the other two with softness and imparts graceful herbal flavors.

 

About the vintage 

Damp and chilly weather ushered in the growing season reducing and concentrating the grapes. Much of the balance of 2015 was hot and dry. Overall, an excellent vintage in Tuscany with ripe, rich fruit that remains balanced.

 

Suggested Glassware: Grassl Liberté

Vittorio Innocenti

 

 

 

Vittorio Innocenti, a former philosophy teacher, started producing wine from his family's vineyards with the 1978 vintage from his 13th century cellar in Montefollonico. There are 32 hectares of vines in Montepulciano and Montefollonico but only 12 are planted with vineyards of up to 80 years old. The vista views from the back patio are incredible.

 

Today, Vittorio's son Tommaso and his partner Vincenza (aka Nancy) handle most of the work. But Vittorio is the keeper of the intellectual capital for all seven wines - in particular both versions of Vin Santo. 

 

The Innocentis are a gracious, wonderful family. The Guru has known them longer than any other wine producer. He admires their intense commitment to producing the highest quality wines - taking as much pride in their most modest offering as they do in their top bottling.

 

VDLT is the only North American source for these extraordinary wines that are released much later than most top estates in the appellation. The Vino Nobile, Riserva and Acerone are capable of long and magnificent aging. In the photo to the right, we enjoyed a 1985, 1988 and 1993 at a recent lunch. Their freshness and vibrancy belied their ages.