VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO

2013 Cantine Dei

Grapes Prugnolo Gentile
Colour Red
Origin Italy, Tuscany
Sub-district Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
ABV 15%

Each autumn sees the release of the new edition of the Gambero Rosso’s guide to Italian Wine ‘Vini d’Italia‘. In it wines are given ratings in glasses (bicchiere) the top award being three glasses (tre bicchiere). It is no great surprise when Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Paleo and Saffredi are given this award, but rather more interesting when it goes to the 2013 Dei Nobile di Montepulciano wine which is under £20. L&S (Sept 2016)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


Nice intensity on the nose, blackberry, cherry, mint and some wood notes, palate's initial delivery is quite grippy, black hedgerow fruit, some tobacco darker sinewy notes, a more robust fuller style this vintage.L&S (Apr 2016)

Classic Prugnolo Gentile (the local name in this part of Tuscany for Sangiovese) notes of fresh cherry and oregano mingle with black fruit and food-friendly astringency and cherry-ish acidity, a shading of spicy oak and a liquorice-like tang on the finish. Good quality at a reasonable price here. Rating: 90 The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com (Mar 2017)

Fresh and lively with blueberry and citrus character. Medium body, fine tannins and a lively finish. Rating: 91 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2016)

Cantine Dei

The Dei vineyard was founded by Alibrando Dei, grandfather of Caterina who runs it now, when he bought the Bossona vineyard in 1964. This turned out to be a brilliant vineyard site, and is the source of the 'Bossona Riserva'.

In the 1970s Alibrando bought the Villa Martiena, just at the foot of the village of Montepulciano, which came with more land for vineyards and olive trees. At first all the grapes were sold, but in 1985 the family produced their first wines under their own label, renting a winery in the middle of the town. The first winery on the Villa Martiena property was built in 1989. Caterina's father Glauco, also known as ('l'ingegnere' (the engineer) had a successful business in (and a passion for) Travertine marble, so the current gravity-fed winery at Villa Martiena is a palace of Travertine built into the hillside, designed by Glauco and Caterina with the help of architect Alessandro Bagnoli.

The vineyard now extends to 50 hectares, planted at 4700 vines per hectare, in five main parcels; Martiena and Piaggia, at 400m altitude, are mainly a mix of sandstone, giving bright yellow soils, Bossona, also at 400m has tufa on the surface with a calcareous subsoil rich in fossils, and is probbaly still the best site, while Ciarlina, at 300m, is a mix of clay and limestone and Cervognano (250m) is tufa and clay.

Caterina Dei has run the estate for the last 25 years, constantly working at small refinements in the vineyard management, as well as in the winery. Ploughing is kept to a minimum so as to reduce the number of vehicles that have to go into the vines, organic fertiliser and cover crops are used - barley which breaks up the earth like ploughing, clover as a nitrogen-fixer, mustard which is draining, while rape has an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect. When these a mowed off, they add more organic matter to the soil. No chemical herbicides are used, and careful canopy management is used to prevent disease.

Caterina, musician, singer, actor, grew up with the vines around her and with a love for art and the countryside and vineyards, and all inspire her dedicated approach to making this the premier estate for Montepulciano. 'I rediscovered my love for music through good wine, as they are not as different as one may think. Both wine and music speak a universally sensory language, and celebrate the joy of living... This is what I would like to offer at Cantine Dei, as our truly unique winery is the perfect place to celebrate life. This is a place brimming with artistic emotion and passion for wine, where I would like everybody to enjoy a sensory experience, surrounded by culture and art.'

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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