This is Montepulciano’s answer to Brunello di Montalcino, produced in the town of Montepulciano just across the valley. It is a structured wine made from a particular clone of Sangiovese called Prugnolo Gentile which is hand-harvested on the slopes near the winery. It is fermented in temperature-controlled vats before racking into the traditional large (5000 litre) French oak barrels (known as Botti) for ageing for a minimum of 12 months. The wine is then aged for another 12 months in bottle before release and is a faithful expression of the fine perfumed wines that Sangiovese is capable of producing in the right conditions. Highly recommended with grilled meat.