Description

Designated as an UNESCO Heritage site, the Val d’ Orcia separates the Tuscan hilltop medieval villages of Montalcino and Montepulicano by about 20 miles.

In Montalcino, the DOCG requires “Brunello” (the “little brown one”) to be 100% Sangiovese Grosso.  The Brunello can not be released for five years from the vintage harvest, six years for the Riserva. 

In Montepulicano, the primary Sangiovese clone is Prugnolo Gentile or “Vino Nobile”.  Although many producers do not blend, Vino Nobile must contain at least 70% Prugnolo Gentile and may be complemented by three other traditional varieties; Mammolo, Canaiolo and Colorino.  The standard DOCG release requires 2 years of aging, while the Riserva or single vineyard releases must wait a minimum of three years.

TIP!  Do not confuse the grape Montepulicano with the same name in the regions of Marche and Abruzzo.

If visiting Montepulicano, the estates of Avignonesi and Poliziano are worthy of your attention, however the small family run Poderi Boscarelli stands alone as the top producer of the village.  We spent a full afternoon with the De Ferrari Corradi family back in 2011 and have been selling and collecting their limited production wines since the 2006 vintage.

 Of special interest is Boscarelli’s most coveted “Il Nocio” vineyard, formerly a 4 hectare knoll of walnut trees first harvested in 1991.  About 5,000 bottles of pure Prugnolo Gentile are produced annually. Aged in assorted sizes of neutral Slavonian and French oak for 18-24 months and then one year in bottle for refinement before release.

From the landmark 2021 vintage, this “normale” bottling is a blend of 85% Sangiovese Prugnolo Gentile, 15% Canaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo (13.5% alc)

“Intoxicating violets and roses with bright yet precise black cherries and raspberries are allied to toasty depth. Good attack on the palate with supple fruit and medium body. The ripe, velvety tannins are chalky in the finish, which is polished and refreshing, if not crisp” 94 points, James Suckling

“Delivers purity, boasting aromas and flavors of cherry, pomegranate, earth and iron, while also staying lively, supported by a dense matrix of tannins. Balanced, with a finish of bitter almond, this needs a few years to integrate. Best from 2027 through 2042. 4,500 cases made.” – 92 points, Wine Spectator