50 & 50 Toscana I.G.T. - Avignonesi - 2018

75 cl

Falstaff: 93 points

Alcohol content: 13.5% vol.

Grape varieties: 50% Merlot, 50% Sangiovese

Vinification:

Merlot: Alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature and maceration for 20-25 days

Sangiovese: 10 days maceration at controlled temperature

AGEING

Merlot: in 225 litre oak barriques

Sangiovese: in barriques and 30 hl wooden barrels

Tasting note:

Ruby red in colour with light garnet reflections. The nose reveals herbal and floral notes of roses and violets, followed by hints of ripe red berries. Powerful and full on the palate with a juicy and lingering finish.

Avignonesi:

When Pope Gregory IX moved his official residence from Avignon back to Rome, he brought some of France's noble families with him to Italy. One of these families settled in Tuscany, in Montepulciano, and quickly became known as the Avignonesi. Their name is closely linked to the rise of Vino Nobile.

The full-bodied, spicy wine, which always needs a few years to fully express its mellowness and elegance, is the centrepiece of the winery and is always particularly aristocratic here. Avignonesi is never a wine for the quick effect that overwhelms you at the first sip, sometimes they seem downright meagre, but they make up for this with a depth and complexity that many Italian wines have unfortunately "sacrificed" in the fight for international points.