Who: Marco Sbernadori + son, Luca Sbernadori
Where: Valiano Montepulciano, Siena • Tuscany - Italy
Founded: 1970
Land: 25 hectares, 100 -400 meters above sea level
Grapes: average age of vine 45 yrs / Prugnolo Gentile Sangiovese, Canailo Nero, Mammolo + Malvasia and Grechetto for Vin Santo.
Appellation: Rosso di Montepulciano DOCG, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Viticulture: Organic
Training system:
Harvest: hand picking
Annual Production:
The legacy, topography, and history of Fattoria di Palazzo Vecchio are as intricate and expressive as the wines they produce today. It was earlier known as Fattoria di Valiano. The castle was built and held for many centuries by the Marquises of Valiano, a noblewoman from Florence. The estate remained in the family for generations. It is perfectly positioned at the border between what was known as the Papal States and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and overlooking the Val di Chiana. It has witnessed significant historical occurrences, including the reclamation of the valley, which sat underwater, hydraulic work by Leonardo Da Vinci, and grandiose engineering by Antonio da Sangallo. The estate has sported many hats in its day. It has been: a residence for homeless children of Florence, a monastery for monks who constructed the cellar and were known for making some flavorsome beer, a famous agro institution- The Institute of Capezzine, and if that is not enough, now a winery under the family of Count Riccardo Zorzi.
The Count purchased the land in late1960 and handed it down to his daughter Alessandra Zorzi. Her husband, Marco Sbernadori, and their son, Luca, have overseen the winery. Renovations of the old buildings and the additions to the cellars began in 1982. Over subsequent years, the vineyards were individually assessed and replanted, allowing the winery now known as Palazzo Vecchio to produce its first vintage of Vino Nobile Montepulciano in 1990.
For centuries the lands have been toiled and greatly admired for their prosperous, strong clay soils. Today the 25-hectare estate has 7 hectares planted. Their emphasis is to make better wines and not to develop the lands. Under the direction of the family, they grow 70% Prugnolo Gentile Sangiovese, 15% Canailo Nero, 7% Mammolo, and the remaining few percent is a combination of Malvasia and Grechetto for Vin Santo. They cultivate their vines organically with minimal use of anything on the vines, with an average age of 45 years.
‘Dogana’ Rosso di Montepulciano docg
Prugnolo Gentile 85%, Canaiolo Nero 10%, Mammolo 5%
This youthful wine comes mostly from their younger vines. Here you will find an approachable wine that still represents all that is Montepulciano. Maybe I have watched too many romantic British series, nevertheless, the nose is a contemplation of sipping espresso, while nibbling on tea cakes in a warm cottage garden. Brambly roses, spring violets, fleshy black raspberries, and wild cherries mixed with the bittersweet notes of brew. This is a juicy, fruity wine, accented with notes of sweet cake spices and held together by lean tannins. A wine meant to be enjoyed.
Color : brilliant ruby red
Bouquet : beautiful personality with aromas reminiscent of wild berries
Taste : persistent finish with very balanced tannins
Vinification : steel containers with controlled fermentation. Minimum 8 months in oak barrels
Pairings : Pasta and rice first courses, main courses and fresh cheeses.
“
2017
90 pts!
Blackberry and violet aromas follow through to a medium body with firm, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows polish for the vintage. Drink now.
”
ABOUT THE VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO DOCG
Region:Toscana
History: Established as a DOC in 1966; became a DOCG in 1980
Vineyard Area: 852 ha / 2,104 acres (2018)
Production: 45,500 hl / 505,600 cases (2018)
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Sangiovese
IT’S THE LAW
RED WINES: 1. Vino Nobile (Rd): Minimum 70% Sangiovese (locally Prugnolo Gentile); maximum 30% OARG; maximum 5% OAWG 2. Riserva (Vino Nobile)
Significant Production Rules
Vineyard elevation: Minimum 250 m (820 ft); maximum 500 m (1,970 ft)
Minimum alcohol level: 12.5% for Vino Nobile; 13.0% for Riserva
Aging: For Vino Nobile, minimum 2 years, including either 12 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle or 18 months in barrel (ERD = January 1, V+3); for Riserva, minimum 3 years, including 12 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle (ERD = January 1, V+4)
‘Maestro’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano docg
Prugnolo Gentile 85%, Canaiolo Nero 10%, Mammolo 5%
Delectable and enticing aromas of violets with a soupçon of lavender. There are plenty scents of baking-spice and fall plum to remind you of cooler weather, circling with wild mountain fennel and old-growth forest with it’s musty, funky, dense tang reminiscent of dirt-covered mushrooms. The tight and straight palate you’ll find fine yet textural tannins with flickers of dried black cherry, and a hint of cedar cigar box.
Color : intense and deep ruby red.
Perfume : soft and enveloping with hints of tobacco and black berry.
Taste : round, balanced, well structured and persistent.
Vinification : steel containers with controlled fermentation. 24 months in French oak barrels
Aging : minimum 6 months in bottle
Pairings : Full-bodied first courses and second courses with red meats. Seasoned cheeses.
“ 2015 Maestro
92 pts
Fragrant purple-flower, baking-spice and ripe plum aromas mingle with scents of wild herb and forest floor. On the taut linear palate, fine-grained tannins support offering dried black cherry, licorice and a hint of tobacco.
-KERIN O’KEEFE
2013 - 92 pts
2012 - 90 pts
2010 - 90 pts
”
