Tasting Report: Outstanding Quality Cortona Syrah and Vino Nobile

This week’s report covers a range of top quality wines from the appellations of Cortona and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The Syrahs are some of my favorite wines from Tuscany, particularly those from the estate of Tenimenti Luigi d’Alessandro. Its single vineyard Syrah, Migliara, is one of my 12 Most Collectible Tuscan Wines, which I have been posting regular videos about. I think the most recently released 2008 is even better than the superb 2006 and 2007.

I am also very excited about the Syrahs from Il Castagno, Stefano Amerighi (biodynamic producer), and Antinori’s La Braccesca. I wrote a recent blog about a tasting of top Tuscan Syrahs I did near Cortona during the Tuscan Sun Festival – one of Italy’s leading music events.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano always seems to underwhelm me. The wines always seem a little rustic and uninteresting. However, I managed to find about a dozen in this report that were excellent – mostly from the superb 2007 vintage. Dei seems to be the best Vino Nobile producer at the moment.

Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more:

2008 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 

2009 Poliziano Rosso di Montepulciano

2009 Dei Rosso di Montepulciano