Il Conventino Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022

Il Conventino works in Montepulciano, in eastern Tuscany, a winegrowing area with roots reaching back to the Etruscans. This Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is led by Sangiovese, known locally as Prugnolo Gentile, with a small share of other red varieties, and is farmed organically. The vineyards lie on the clay, sand and limestone soils around the town, free draining and poor, which keeps yields modest and concentrates the fruit, while the warm days and cool nights of the inland Tuscan hills preserve the grape's bright acidity and aromatic lift. The wine is aged in Slavonian oak casks, the traditional large format botti of central Italy, whose tight grain and low surface to volume ratio give slow, gentle oxygenation that softens tannin and integrates fruit without adding overt toasty flavour, while malolactic fermentation rounds the acidity. The colour is medium ruby. The nose offers red cherry, raspberry, plum and dried herbs over earth and tobacco. The palate is medium bodied and savoury, with fine tannins and a fresh, lingering finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. It is a classic match for roast and grilled red meat.