by Gabriel Riel-Salvatore
Held within the imposing walls of the Fortezza di Montepulciano, this year’s Anteprima Vino Nobile offered a comprehensive preview of the appellation’s stylistic range—from juicy Rosso expressions to age-worthy Riserva bottlings.
Vino Nobile wines have been present on the Canadian market for decades, with flagship producers such as Carpineto leading the way. Other established names—including Avignonesi and Poliziano—have since been joined by newer household labels such as La Braccesca (Antinori) and Tenuta Calimaia (Frescobaldi).
Yet a whole generation of young winemakers remains to be discovered in this appellation, which stylistically falls midway between Chianti Classico’s finesse and the opulence of Brunello di Montalcino.
Producers such as Bindella, Boscarelli, Icario, and Talosa reflect the enduring potential of a noble land planted with vineyards for centuries.
Keep an eye on Le Bèrne, which has recently entered the Canadian market on commission with an approachable Rosso di Montepulciano marked by crunchy red fruit alongside a more serious Riserva offering deeper tones of dark fruit, sweet spice, and charred oak.
Also worth noting is Poggio alla Sala, a property recently acquired by Italian-Canadian entrepreneur from Montreal, Eric Toppetta. His wines should enter the market on commission withing the next few months.
Based on a minimum of 85% Sangiovese—locally known as Prugnolo Gentile—the more serious Pieve designation, encompassing 12 subzones, undergoes at least three years of ageing prior to release and is, for the most part, 100% Sangiovese-based. The result are structured wines that can be thought of as mini-Brunellos—often at a fraction of the price.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Producers to watch for: Le Bèrne, Sanguineto, La Braccesca, Bindella, Boscarelli, Carpineto, Poggio alla Sala, Icario
Beyond the Black Rooster
*Anteprima Toscana is Tuscany’s annual February preview week for trade and press, where new vintages are tasted before release. Bringing together key appellations such as Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, Morellino di Scansano and Val d’Arno di Sopra, it offers an early read on vintage quality and stylistic direction.
General Assessment and Tasting notes from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Preview at Anteprima Toscana 2026
The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Preview at Anteprima Toscana 2026 sketched a clear hierarchy in both structure and intent, from approachable Annata 2023 to the more sculpted Riserva 2022, and—most compellingly—the still-emerging identity of the Pieve tier.
In the 2023 Annata flight, the strongest wines leaned into crunchy red fruit, lively acidity, and drinkability, with several producers showing polished balance (notably Il Molinaccio “La Spinosa,” La Braccesca, Poliziano, and Tenuta Calimaia). Alongside these fresher expressions, a handful of samples were marked by heavier oak, stewed fruit, or bretty/barnyard tones, occasionally tipping the wines toward a more rustic or less resolved profile.
The Riserva 2022 group stepped up in tannin density and aromatic detail, often reading as younger, firmer, and more age-worthy—with highlights including Crociani, Le Bèrne, Bindella Vallocaia, and the precise elegance of Tenuta Calimaia.
The Pieve tastings were the most narratively engaging: many samples carried a stronger sense of site-driven shape, from the finesse and length of Le Bèrne “Alto” (2022) and Carpineto “Poggio Sant’Enrico Grande” (2021–2022) to the lifted, vibrant profiles from Molinaccio (2021) and Calimaia “Viacoste” (2022). Overall, the category suggests a top tier increasingly defined by clarity, texture, and place.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG requires a minimum of 70% Sangiovese (locally Prugnolo Gentile).
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — Annata
Vintage 2023 (Flight 1 — “Tutti / All”)
101 | Le Bèrne — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Cooked red fruit with hints of leather and mild fatigue. Mid-weight palate, medium tannins, and solid acidity holding the frame together.
91
102 | Avignonesi — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Cranberry-led fruit with a touch of jam and dark chocolate. Good depth and drive, finishing with satisfying warmth.
90
103 | La Ciarliana — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Darker colour. Plummy intensity with roasted coffee notes and a hint of raspberry preserve. Richer profile, though less precise on the finish.
88
104 | Boscarelli — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Lively red fruit with eucalyptus lift. Juicy and clean, finishing with bright freshness and good varietal clarity.
89+
105 | Fattoria Svetoni — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Red and dark berries with charred oak. The palate loosens mid-stream; shorter finish and less definition overall.
87
106 | Poderi Sanguineto I e II — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Wild strawberries and field berries layered with yeasty, leathery old-oak nuances. Slight bretty edge and a “natural” feel, but the palate is juicy, lively, and bright through the finish.
92
107 | Il Molinaccio di Montepulciano “La Spinosa” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Crisp red-currant fruit with delicate oak. Fresh, fruit-forward, and energetic, with a long, clean finish.
93
108 | La Braccesca — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Inviting black-and-red berry bouquet with smoky nuances. Juicy palate, chewy tannins, and a balanced, well-shaped close.
92
109 | Le Bertille — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Leathery, barnyard notes over dark fruit and charred oak (brett evident). Good acidity, but tannins feel rough and less resolved.
88
110 | Lunadoro “Pagliareto” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Brett-tinged, sun-warmed profile: plum jam, tobacco, and eucalyptus. Heavy expression, less harmony.
86+
111 | Manvi “Arya” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Note set suggests a simple/lean showing at this stage.
86
112 | Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano “Cantina del Redi” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Plasticine-like note dominates; palate reads muted.
85
113 | Poliziano — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Ripe strawberry and red-berry lift with well-integrated oak. Fresh acidity and a confident, clean finish.
91+
114 | Marchesi Frescobaldi – Tenuta Calimaia — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Soft red berries with menthol hints. Leaner, elegant palate with fresh balance and tidy structure.
91
115 | Talosa “Albereto” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Savoury tones and ripe red berries with old-oak/cigar-box complexity. Peppery spice, mid-weight, more angular than plush.
89
116 | Tenuta Abbadia Vecchia — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Bright, juicy red fruit; sandy-soil feel. Straightforward and fruit-driven, a touch simple.
88
117 | Tenuta Aliotti “Conte Niccolò” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Medicinal/chlorophyll notes over red fruit. Vibrant acidity, but the profile feels off-balance.
85
118 | Guidotti — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Juicy, sun-drenched fruit with good acidity, but the palate thins and loses proportion.
89
119 | Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Reserved nose with dusty red-berry hints. Light, silky palate—pleasant, but understated.
88
120 | Azienda Agricola Raspanti — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Dark-and-red berry fruit with a bretty edge. Coarse, gripping tannins and coconut-leaning oak; balance struggles.
86
121 | Tenuta Fontenuova — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Toasty notes with stewed strawberry and charred oak. A faint burnt-rubber undertone, yet overall holds together reasonably well.
89
122 | Tenuta Poggio alla Sala — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Medium-intensity bouquet: black/red berries, oak, and leather. Juicy palate with chalky tannins and a medium finish.
88+
123 | Azienda Agricola Crociani — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Crusty bread nuance meets warm strawberry fruit. Juicy core, but tannins are notably grippy.
87
124 | Tenuta Trerose “Santa Caterina” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023
Crisp red fruit with cedar hints. Warm mid-palate and a moderate finish.
88
Vintage 2023 (Flight 2 — Selezione)
201 | Bindella – Tenuta Vallocaia “I Quadri” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2023 (Selezione)
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese (Bindella)
Bright, pure red-berry fruit with well-judged oak. Juicy and lively, with chewy tannins and an impressively long, balanced finish.
94+
Annate precedenti (Flight 4)
Vintage 2022
401 | Il Macchione — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Classic red-berry profile. Full-bodied and very young, with grippy tannins and evident oak.
89
402 | Podere Tiberini “Le Caggiole” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Red-berry leaning with a lively raspberry line and a blood-orange twist. Medium length, good energy.
90
403 | Cantina Chiacchiera — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Heavy charred oak in an old-school register. Juicy red fruit and lively acidity, finishing with smoky/BBQ notes.
90
404 | De’ Ricci — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Fresh floral lift over red fruit. Medium-bodied, more discreet overall.
88
405 | Cantina D&D “Il Massaro” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Fruit-driven but less defined; broader, softer articulation.
89
406 | Ercolani — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Fresh red berries with savoury edges, cedar and tobacco. Juicy, structured, and lively, finishing cleanly.
92
407 | Il Conventino — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Savoury, bell-pepper/cigar-box notes with black/red fruit. Sandy, slightly drying tannins; medium finish.
90-
408 | Fanetti – Tenuta S. Agnese — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Faint aromatics and a tannic profile; less charm today.
87
409 | Fattoria del Cerro “Silìneo” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Note set indicates an indistinct showing.
88
410 | Godiolo — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Note set indicates a similar, unremarkable profile.
87+
411 | I Cipressi — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Bright red berries and fresh raspberry, with menthol/eucalyptus and a reductive note. Softer tannins, good acidity, medium finish.
89
412 | La Combàrbia — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Clean oak with ripe red berries and cranberry brightness. Juicy palate, good acidity, medium length.
90
413 | Lombardo — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Oak-forward nose with stewed red fruit and tangy lift.
89+
414 | Tenuta Golo — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Crusty-bread and light balsamic notes. Smooth and fluid with a faint flinty edge.
90
415 | Avignonesi “Poggetto di Sopra” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Elegant and lifted: ripe red fruit with clay undertones. Tangy plum, lively acidity, and savoury spice through the finish.
92
416 | La Braccesca “Vigneto Santa Pia” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022
Powerful structure with good balance. Juicy fruit, chewy tannins, and solid overall definition.
90
Vintage 2021
417 | Barbicaia — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Fruity with cedar hints, but the finish drops quickly.
88
418 | Contucci — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Brett nuance over jammy strawberry and stewed fruit. Medium finish, softer precision.
87
419 | Cantina Fassati – Fattoria S. Ilario “Pasiteo” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Black/red fruit with oaky and flinty undertones. Powerful oak imprint, fresh acidity, jammy core.
89+
420 | Icario — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Soft red berries with rose petal and cedar backbone. Medium body, round tannins, fresher finish.
90
421 | Palazzo Vecchio “Maestro” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Plasticine/geranium notes over red fruit. Medium body, less clarity.
88
422 | Tenuta Santeverne (Casa Vinicola Triacca) — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Fruit-forward red berries with rose petals and clay hints. Medium, straightforward.
87
423 | Bindi Sergardi — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Savoury-leaning bouquet with red fruit and toast, plus a floral edge. Medium-bodied and composed.
89
424 | Canneto “Casina di Doro” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Ripe berry fruit with peppery spice and balsamic tones. Warm and spicy, good overall balance.
89
425 | Barbicaia “La Ripra” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Red berries with floral lift. Tannic frame with a burnt-caramel accent.
89
426 | De’ Ricci “Soraldo” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Ripe fruit with mineral undertones and floral lift; oak feels prominent.
88
427 | La Ciarliana “Vigna Scianello” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Jam and clay, cedar hints, and a touch of brett.
87
428 | Contucci “Mulinvecchio” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Animal/leather character dominates (“barnyard” register).
87
429 | Villa S. Anna “Poldo” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Fresh mix of red/black berries with floral lift; juicy but short.
89
430 | Tenuta Poggio alla Sala — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Lofty red fruit with rustic edges; slightly jammy. Smooth tannins, lively acidity, good finish.
91
431 | Antico Colle “Il Saggio” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021
Red berries with sage nuance; medium body and length.
88
Vintage 2020
434 | Luteria — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020
Red berries with balsamic lift. Jammy palate, medium tannins/acidity, good finish.
90
435 | Montemercurio “Messaggero” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020
Cedar and red berries; juicy and lively with medium length.
89
436 | Fattoria del Cerro “Antica Chiusina” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020
Jammy red fruit with clay and citrus notes. Smooth texture, sharper acidity, moderate structure.
90
437 | Il Molinaccio di Montepulciano “La Piaggia” — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020
Field berries with cedar and rustic edges. Medium body, slightly neutral mid-palate.
89
Vintage 2019
443 | Cantine Innocenti — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2019
Charred oak over red/black fruit; still tannic, built for time.
91
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — Riserva
Vintage 2022 (Flight 3 — Riserva)
301 | Crociani — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2022
Ripe berries with sourdough nuance. Fluffy, juicy palate with bright red fruit; fun, balanced, and cleanly finished.
93
302 | Bindella – Tenuta Vallocaia “Vallocaia” — Riserva 2022
Grapes: 95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino del Valdarno (Bindella)
Red fruit with clay notes and rose petals. Chunky tannins but good acidity; clearly needs time to settle and harmonise.
92
303 | Manvi “Ojas” — Riserva 2022
Dusty aromatics with eucalyptus and red currant. Muscular tannins and a mid-length finish.
89
304 | Boscarelli — Riserva 2022
Bright red berry profile. Smooth palate with powerful yet elegant tannins; still young, with good upside.
91
305 | Canneto — Riserva 2022
Crisp red currant, slightly dry grip, and a peppery finish.
88
306 | Le Bèrne — Riserva 2022
Plum, powdered chocolate, kirsch and violet. Rich, powerful palate with bold tannins, yet the finish turns juicy and gently sweet-toned.
93
307 | Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta — Riserva 2022
Leaner, fresher red fruit with dry rose-petal notes. Medium body and length, more restrained overall.
89
308 | Lunadoro “Quercione” — Riserva 2022
Dark stewed fruit with overwhelming oak and brett. Lively acidity and some complexity, but the balance is uneasy.
89+
309 | Tenuta Abbadia Vecchia — Riserva 2022
Bright red fruit and red liquorice; simple, leaner shape with grippy tannins.
87
310 | Carpineto — Riserva 2022
Blackberry and violet with charred oak and herbal undertones. Juicy and fluid with chewy tannins, but slightly short on length.
90
311 | Tenuta Fontenuova — Riserva 2022
Crunchy cranberry aromatics, but the palate feels diluted—missing structure and depth.
89
312 | Marchesi Frescobaldi – Tenuta Calimaia — Riserva 2022
Precise bouquet of field berries and rose petals with delicate oak. Juicy and elegant, balanced, and quietly confident.
92
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — Pieve
Context note: “Pieve” is a new top cru tied to specific subzones/parish areas (“pievi”) above Riserva.
Pieve Caggiole
501 | Poliziano — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Red berries with elegant oak and soft floral undertones. Luscious palate and warm spice through the finish.
92
502 | Podere Tiberini — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Red berries with clay-like undertones and a gentle spice note. Smooth, slightly short on the finish.
89
503 | Poliziano — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Complex red fruit with eucalyptus lift. Nice depth, crunchy acidity, and light oak framing.
90
504 | Podere Tiberini — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Contained red fruit and clay notes. More opulent on the palate than the 2022, though still restrained.
90
Pieve Cerliana
505 | La Ciarliana — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Bright, clean red fruit with contained oak. Medium-bodied, elegant, with a mineral/graphite backbone.
92
506 | Vecchia Cantina (“Cantina del Redi”) — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Red berries with fresh rose-petal tones. Fluid palate with slightly grainy tannins.
91-
507 | Antico Colle — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Ripe red fruit with old-oak spice. Round and warm on the finish.
91
508 | Tenuta Valdipiatta — Pieve 2021 (certified
Slightly oxidative register with cooked strawberry, a touch jammy. Chalky tannins, fresh acidity.
90
Pieve Cervognano
509 | Guidotti — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Cranberry and sun-warmed fruit. Crunchy red-fruit palate, medium body, cedar finish.
90
510 | Boscarelli “Costa Grande” — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Lovely red fruit with depth and structure. Chewy tannins and a long, convincing finish.
92
511 | Marchesi Frescobaldi (Calimaia “Viacoste”) — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Lifted and elegant: inviting red fruits, gentle florals, soft vanilla. Luscious yet balanced, with crunchy acidity and finesse.
94
513 | Le Bèrne “Alto” — Pieve 2022 (certified)
Inviting ripe cherry nose. Silky yet chewy tannins, loads of crunchy red fruit, clove hints, and a long finish.
95
514 | Boscarelli “Costa Grande” — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Red berries and plum with tasteful oak and dried-leaf undergrowth notes. Structured, slightly rustic close.
91+
515 | Fattoria Svetoni — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Rustic, with cooked fruit and secondary notes; a touch of brett. Medium body and finish.
90
Pieve Gracciano
516 | Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Ripe cherry and plum. Harsh, grippy tannins—very young and still settling.
89
517 | Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Cherry fruit with some evolution and savoury sandalwood nuance. Tannins feel smoother than the 2022.
90
Pieve Le Grazie
518 | Talosa “Vigna Chiussino” — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Red and black berries with blackcurrant depth, vanilla lift, and florals. Powerful, muscular tannins and peppery spice; juicy, almost “Super Tuscan” in feel.
92
Pieve San Biagio
519 | Le Bertille — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Red currant and cedar with a vegetal edge. Warm and spicy palate, lively acidity, dusty finish.
91
520 | Le Bertille — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Similar aromatic register, more powerful overall with dry tannins and high energy from acidity.
90
Pieve Sant’Albino
521 | Carpineto “Poggio Sant’Enrico Grande” — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Elegant red berries with lofty oak and clay tones. Silky, round, softly vanilla-edged, and beautifully balanced to a long finish.
95-
522 | Carpineto “Poggio Sant’Enrico Grande” — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Ripe strawberry with balsamic and rose-petal lift. Coating, chewy tannins; generous, polished, and long.
94
Pieve Sant’Ilario
523 | Tenuta Poggio alla Sala — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Plum with oak spice, menthol and herbal undertones. Rich structure with chalky tannins and lively acidity; medium finish.
91
524 | Fattoria del Cerro — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Ripe red fruit with sweet vanilla in a “Super Tuscan” register. Palate feels slightly split; moderate harmony today.
90
525 | Tenuta Poggio alla Sala — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Ripe plum with vanilla and sandalwood nuance. Rich, plummy palate with vibrant acidity, chalky tannins, and a juicy, sweet-spice finish.
93
Pieve Valardegna
526 | Il Molinaccio di Montepulciano — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Crunchy raspberry and red cherry with cedar and rhubarb. Vibrant acidity, excellent freshness, and a lifted finish.
94
527 | Ercolani — Pieve 2021 (certified)
Slightly jammy strawberry with gentle vanilla and graphite. Balsamic/sandalwood spice, crunchy fruit, long finish.
92
Pieve Valiano
528 | Tenuta Trerose — Pieve 2022 (sample)
Dark and red cherry with gentle toast and graphite hints. Vibrant, fresh, fruit-driven, and neatly oaked.
93
