The organic and ecologically sensitive Il Molinaccio (watermill) estate hails from Southeastern Tuscany’s Montepulciano zone. Here the Sangiovese is called Prugnolo Gentile, and the wines are often warmer and more approachable than their more structured brethren from Chianti Classico and Montalcino. Il Molinaccio’s 2020 Rosso di Montepulciano casts a translucent ruby color in the glass followed by dusty, soil-driven Sangiovese aromas of Morello cherries, leather, tobacco, cinnamon, and dried rose petals. Fresh, vibrant, and youthfully coiled, the wine graces the palate with sappy bitter cherry and cranberry fruit infused with dusty limestone earth and complex hints of cedar, menthol, licorice, cinnamon, and tobacco. The Rosso finishes fresh and lively with fine tannins emerging to accent chewy notes of red licorice and tobacco while leaving that savory sensation of limestone dust on the lips and inner cheeks. This is fantastic, genre-defining Rosso di Montepulciano – and a splendid value – that will pair effortlessly now and over the coming four years with bucatini all’amatriciana, grilled porterhouse steaks, roast pork, sautéed mushrooms, and rich Tuscan bean stews.
A December 2021 newsletter selection
