WTN: My Second Italian...LOL!

So I took Ryan and Paulo's advice on what to try for my second Italian...here is goes:

2002 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - $24.99 (USD), grape -Sangiovese, ABV 14 %.

The had a deep red/garnet color. The nose was of cherry, chocolate and some thyme. On the palate there was more of a savory note, very meaty. There was also cherry and raspberry. It had a nice acidic finish.

This wine was very nice. It was the most savoury wine I have ever had, different than most red wines I am used to drinking. It was a bit astringent, but still balanced.

In comparing the Avignonesi (1998) and the Poliziano (2002), I preferred the Avignonesi. I felt that both wines are really best drank with food, but because the Poliziano had a higher alcohol content, and was more astringent, it didn't pair as well with my meal as the Avignonesi. (I had the same meal with both to compare). It could also be that the Avignonesi was older, and slightly more mellow. The Avignonesi seemed to have a nicer acidity as well.

In the end, I really enjoyed both Vino Nobiles. Off to try some Chianti Classico!

Another very nice tasting note, Maria. Good report on the facts without extraneous literary embellishment. You are really coming along.

-- Clark

Before giving up on this producer, keep in mind that 2002 was one of the worst vintages in Italy in a while. I'm not sure how a couple bottles slipped into my cellar

Before giving up on this producer, keep in mind that 2002 was one of the worst vintages in Italy in a while. I'm not sure how a couple bottles slipped into my cellar

Brian
I've tasted a few and whilst there are indeed some poor wines, there's also a good number of sound balanced wines, albeit at the lighter end of the scale. Personally I've had more problem with 03, with out of character wines struggling for balance from the hot weather. Winners and losers in both vintages and I'm hoping a 2003 Nebbiolo (Vajra I think) stood up in the drink soon box will challenge my opinion!

Maria
I'm a big fan of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as we've had a great run of top value wines from different producers. I bought a bottle of Avignonesi's Reserve wine (the Grandi Annate) from the 99 vintage a while back and I'm interested in seeing what a good producer does by way of a reserve wine, when we've had such enjoyment at the £10-15 ($20-30) range from them and other producers.

regards

Ian

Thanks everyone!

Brian,

I am sorry if my TNs came across as negative regarding the Poliziano, because that is not the case at all! I definitely enjoyed the wine and would buy from them again. I just think if I had a choice to drink something with dinner, I would probably choose the Avignonesi just because it was a little more acidic, less alcoholic, and the tannins were a bit more mellow(probably because of the age though). But that does not mean I thought the Poliziano was unbalanced or hot. Quite the contrary...in fact I was surprised that the Poliziano was 14% ABV.

Regarding the 2002 Poliziano, it may be simply a case of being too darned young. On my honeymoon in October we purchased several 2003 Vino Nobiles from the Poliziano winery directly and she told us right away not to even think about opening them for a year at least.