Il Conventino Rosso di Montepulciano 2024

Il Conventino is an organic estate of around ten hectares in the heart of the Montepulciano wine country in Tuscany, central Italy. Rosso di Montepulciano is led by Sangiovese, the region's red grape known here as Prugnolo Gentile, with Canaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo rounding out the blend. Tuscany's warm days and cool nights and the clay and limestone soils give Sangiovese its high acidity, firm tannins and savoury red-cherry character, with alcohol at a balanced 13.5%. The estate has farmed organically since well before it was common, with no synthetic inputs in the vineyard. The wine is aged in Slavonian oak barrels, a large neutral format that through slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins while adding little overt oak flavour, keeping the fruit and the bright Tuscan acidity to the fore. The wine is medium ruby. The nose shows red cherry, plum and wild berries with dried herbs, earth and a touch of spice. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with tangy red fruit, savoury tannins and a long, herbal finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits tomato pasta, grilled meats and pecorino.