La Braccesca Rosso di Montepulciano Sabazio (75cl)

Vintage: 2008
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Grape: 85% Prugnolo Gentile 15% Merlot and other red varieties
Alcohol: 13%
Closure Cork

Producer: Antinori first bought land on the Tenuta Braccesca estate in 1990, situated in southeast Tuscany, between the towns of Montepulciano and Cortona. The former is known for the Sangiovese that ripens into rich Vino Nobile, while the latter is home to Italy's best Syrah.

Vineyard: The Braccesca vineyards cover 237 hectares: 151 between Cortona and Montepulciano, 280-300 metres above sea level, with a clay-silt soil; and 86 hectares in the heartland of great Vino Nobile, on a stony red clay soil. The grapes were picked over a period of about a month.

Winery: The grapes were destemmed and gently crushed, then fermented in stainless steel with a ten-day maceration. The wine was then moved to oak for the malolactic fermentation and four months ageing.

Taste: Earlier-drinking than its big brother, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, this offers bright red berry and floral aromas, a medium-bodied palate and a long mineral finish.

Contains sulphites