Montepulciano is an area where Sangiovese takes the name Prugnolo Gentile in the province of Siena, southeast of Florence. It is Asinone that best expresses the concept of Cru, with a wine that is the purest example of Sangiovese, born from that 12-hectare vineyard with south-west exposure that bears the same name as the wine, and which has been envied as the most representative of Pugnolo Gentile. The origin of the name Asinone derives from the shape of the vineyard hill precisely in the shape of a 'donkey's back'. The grapes harvested in mid-September are collected in small crates, de-stemmed, squeezed and fermentation begins. After several pump-overs, the must remains on the skins for 20-25 days. The pressed wine goes into French oak tonneaux to mature for 16-18 months before being bottled. The estate's finest expression of Sangiovese, it owes its powerful character to the clay-rich soils and the age of the vines. These are vines that are over 30 years old; Asinone's colour in the glass is an intense ruby red, with closed notes of cinchona, coffee and tobacco, which soon open up into jam and violets. Its flavour is intriguing, full-bodied and muscular. A Sangiovese ideal with red meats, game, roasts and stews. Best left to rest in the cellar and enjoyed in good company.
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