Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Reading Time: [est_time] Some grapes just speak to you. For me, that grape is Sangiovese. I love it in all forms, especially in its spiritual home of Tuscany. This 'blood of Jupiter' (where the name Sangiovese originates
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Some grapes just speak to you. For me, that grape is Sangiovese.
I love it in all forms, especially in its spiritual home of Tuscany. This ‘blood of Jupiter’ (where the name Sangiovese originates from) creates the great wines of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and is included in many famous Super Tuscans. It also forms the backbone of a few great appellations that aren’t as well known. One of those areas surrounds the town of Montepulciano.
Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is historically a great Tuscan wine. In modern history, it’s fallen into the shadow of nearby Brunello di Montalcino. Montepulciano is only 36 kilometers east of Montalcino but their reputation is worlds apart. It’s a shame because there are several Vino Nobiles that are worthy of great fame.
Earlier this year, we revisited one of our favorite producers in Croatia, Clai Winery. After a long evening of ‘tasting’, winemaker Dimitri Brečević raided the cellar of proprietor Giorgio Clai for several bottles. “This is one of Giorgio’s friends,” Dimitri explained as we opened the Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2012.
My head was a little foggy from the long evening but when a wine is great, it holds onto you and doesn’t let go. The bottle of that Il Conventino, Vino Nobile remained burned into my memory. Fast forward a few months and Il Conventino agreed to send m a few bottles of their latest releases.
To say I am impressed is an understatement. These wines play second fiddle to no one in Tuscany.
Il Conventino, Rosso di Montepulciano 2018
What a fun wine to drink! The Il Conventino, Rosso di Montepulciano is mostly Sangiovese with small amounts of Caniaolo and Colorino. Aged in cask for three months. Charine puts it best, “This wine should be a pantry staple for every wine lover. What a congenial company. Like a basket of red cherries, blueberries, and blackcurrants dumped onto the senses, gliding across the palate with cushion-soft comfort before a sense of crunchiness hits. Rose and black pepper pop by as guests somewhere along the way.”
Do yourself a favor and buy this wine by the case! Score: 89/100
Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016
Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is mostly Sangiovese and again with small amounts of Caniaolo and Colorino. It spent 24 months in cask. This has a great nose of leather, tobacco, cedar, sour cherry, and a touch of tangerine peel. It’s an old school style of Sangiovese which I love. Bright mid-palate with plenty of acidity and chewy tannins. In between a Chianti Classico and a Brunello di Montalcino. Long finish. Score: 92/100
Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2016
The Il Conventino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva is mostly Sangiovese with small amounts of Caniaolo and Colorino. The wine spent 30 months in cask. The wood shows a little more than the standard Vino Nobile but it isn’t a hindrance. This is a wine with class and depth. It smells like a shelf full of old, leather-bound books. Notes of mahogany, exotic spices, and earth accompany the dried cherry notes. Full-bodied on the palate, this is more savory than fruity. The finish is complex and long with chewy tannins. Brilliant wine with refinement and a certain Tuscan flair. Score: 94/100
You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.
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Il Conventino provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.
