Given that we currently have no stock of Malintoppo at the moment (the winery has plenty of wine, but can't currently source any bottles to put it in) it seemed like a good opportunity to flag up a couple other producers of top notch red wines from the same bit of southern Tuscany.
Azienda Agricola Verbena
Luca and Elena Nannetti produce both Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino. The latter is essentially declassified Brunello and cracking value. Both are 100% Sangiovese with the Brunello spending 2 years in cask and one year in bottle before release. The more junior Rosso spends just over a year in cask before release.
Verbena is a very impressive setup and they even have holiday accommodation. You can find out more at their website here. Our blog article from JW's visit there is 2011 may be found here.
We currently stock the following wines from Verbena
2019 Rosso di Montalcino £19.95
2015 Brunello di Montalcino £35.00
Podere Le Berne
About 18 miles to the east of the hill town of Montalcino is the hill town of Montepulciano (not to be confused with the grape variety of the same name). Andrea Natalini at Podere Le Berne makes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the more junior Rosso di Montepulciano. These are mostly Sangiovese with a tiny proportion of Canaiolo and Mammolo. The Vino Nobile spends 24 months in cask.
Again you can find out more from their website here. Our blog article from JW's visit there in 2011 may be found here.
We currently stock the following from Le Berne
2018 Rosso di Montepulciano £15.95
2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano £22.95
These are fantastic wines from a couple of super producers
