Antinori Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Santa Pia La Braccesca 2016

Description

Antinori is the most famous name in Italian wine and the influence of Piero Antinori in the last 25 years has been nothing short of revolutionary.

Santa Pia is produced from a 15-hectare (37 acres) vineyard in an area called Santa Pia, located on the ridges just below the town of Montepulciano. This particular area has sandy loamy soils rich in rocky deposits known as “skeleton” that allow the Antinori's to create an elegant yet traditional expression of the Sangiovese grape that reflects the characteristics of this historic winemaking area. The first vintage to be produced was 2001.

The La Braccesca estate's name comes from the historical farm that once stood there, owned by the Count of Bracci, whose coat of arms appears on the estate's logo; an arm covered with armour brandishing a sword. Marchesi Antinori acquired the estate in 1990. The property extends over an area of 508 hectares (1255 acres) and the vineyards cover an area of 340 hectares (840 acres) divided into two blocks: the first is 366 hectares (904 acres) of which 237 (585 acres) are planted with vineyards and is located on the border between the cities of Montepulciano and Cortona. The other block is 142 hectares (350 acres) of which 103 (254 acres) are planted with vineyards, it extends all the way to Montepulciano encompassing three of the most famous parcels of land known for the production of great red wines: Cervognano, Santa Pia and Gracciano.

An intense and spicy mix of raspberry and blackberry preserves, hints of mocha, sage and spicy citrus wafts up from the 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Vigneto Santa Pia. The textures are soothing and enveloping, with fleshy red fruits and minerals that coast along a core of zesty acidity. This tapers off to notes of ripe plums and balsam herbs over a coating of nuanced tannins. I’m loving the symmetry here, yet also the early appeal that the 2017 Vigneto Santa Pia possesses. 91pts. Eric Guido, Vinous