La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016, Italy
This wine is soft, fruity and accessible, all of which make it a good choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Sweet floral and spice notes add nuance to red cherry/plum fruit in a lithe, gracious Vino Nobile with tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. The blend is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, aged in cask.
"The 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano shows large intensity with elegantly etched aromas of dark fruit, plum, spice and bitter chocolate. The wine steps forward with mid- to full-weight intensity and medium length. However, you get plenty of dark fruit and spice in between." Robert Parker 91 Pts.
Tenuta La Braccesca
The 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 armor brandishing a sword. Marchesi Antinori acquired the estate in 1990. It is significantly different than the wines only a few miles away in the Chianti Classico region. Here in Montepulciano, the Sangiovese expresses itself in a wilder more masculine style. A bit of Merlot (the mellowing grape) is added to soften the beast!
The La Braccesca 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.