Cantine Dei 'Madonna Della Querce' Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2015

Cantine Dei was founded in 1964 on land purchased by Alibrando Dei in Bossona. His first vintage showed him that he had chosen an excellent parcel, which he expanded to include the villa at Martinea and surrounding farmland in the 1970s. He produced his first bottle of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in 1985, and Cantine Dei remains a family operation, led by Caterina Dei since 1991. This estate has since become one of the leading lights of the region, producing outstanding expressions of the local prugnolo gentile clone of sangiovese. Their organically farmed vineyards stretch over 60 ha across the slopes below the town of Montepulciano, and this exceptional cuvée comes from a 1.5 ha plot of the Piaggia vineyard in the Martiena cru. 100% prugnolo gentile, the vines were planted in 2005 on clay soils 370 m in elevation, and came to maturity in 2015. Fruit is fermented with wild yeast in stainless steel for 25-35 days, then matured in large Slavonian casks for 24 months before bottling, followed by an additional year of rest in bottle before release. Dedicated to Caterina’s father, Glauco, who passed away in 2018, this powerful beauty is full bodied and velvety- a true classic. Luscious layers of black cherry, violets, ripe plum, and sweet tobacco mingle with saddle leather, licorice, and sweet spices on a palate that delivers loads of depth and focus. All that density and power is deftly balanced by smooth, effortlessly integrated tannins and a fresh acidity that provides ample lift through a luxuriously long finish. Bold and elegant, this is drinking beautifully now but could easily cellar for another decade. Organically grown.