Nobile? A lot going on.

A new wine shop in Rocca di Montepulciano, the surprising quality level of vintage 2014 and an alliance between producers to promote the wine abroad are the latest novelties for Vino Nobile. 

Anyone who has not been to Rocca di Montepulciano since last year will find a lovely surprise: the new wine shop for Nobile  is finally finished. And it is quite sight, a lovely structure where finally one can taste a slew of Vino Nobile all rigorously served at the proper temperature and with nitrogen wine preservers used to keep the open bottles from spoiling. Not only that: there is a magnificent tasting bar and comfortable, well-made tables where you can also sample some cold plates. But the real marvel is beneath one’s feet: a transparent floor through which you can see some fantastic Roman and Etruscan-era ruins  as well as an ancient and beautiful cistern. Altogether a spectacular place with an incredible view to match.

This was the first surprise for us when we went to the preview tasting in February that included a tasting of Nobile 2014 . The wine was better than other Sangiovese-based ones of the same year. The quality and level of the tannins, often the Achilles heel of this wine above all where the soil is ‘fatter’, were in many cases more balanced and integrated in a structure that was never opulent but always pleasing and sometimes juicy. This was a sign of a good interpretation of the harvest by the more skilled winemakers. Given that the prices for Nobile di Montepulciano  are often very competitive, we did not hesitate to bring home a few bottles to happily enjoy with friends.

As for the Riserva 2013 , the quality level was convincing with wines that are taking on a nice territorial identity even if there is some lack of quality consistency among individual estates.

Another novelty of 2017 is more ‘political’ but equally important. Six of the best estates in the area have joined forces to boost the image of the wine abroad and, independent of the official producers’ association, begun to present their wines together on the more interesting foreign markets under the aegis: The Alliance . The esates are: Antinori, Avignonesi, Boscarelli, Dei, Salcheto and Polizano. These are all very important names in the area and they have found a common goal and a desire to work together which we highly commend. They are finally working as a team.

 The following reviews are of six wines we liked with preference given to the lesser-known estates.

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