Azienda Agricola Contucci "Pietra Rosa" Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017
Azienda Agricola Contucci "Pietra Rosa" Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017
Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
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Tasting Notes
The Contucci Pietra Rossa Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017 pours a deep ruby red and opens with complex aromas of sunbaked earth, dried cherry, leather, mint, and a touch of truffle. Hints of tobacco and cured meat add savory nuance, giving it that classic old-world charm.
On the palate, this Italian red wine delivers vibrant Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, sour plum, and notes of licorice, vanilla, and baking spice. The tannins are firm yet polished, and the wine’s bright acidity adds freshness from start to finish. It’s layered, dry, and elegant—everything we love about traditional Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Let it breathe and enjoy now, or cellar it for a few more years to unlock even more character. A perfect match for hearty meals and cool evenings. -
Story
Azienda Agricola Contucci isn’t just a winery—it’s a cornerstone of Tuscan wine history. Nestled in the historic heart of Montepulciano, the Contucci family has been cultivating vines on this land for over 1,000 years, with documented winemaking dating back to at least the 1500s. This makes them one of the longest-standing wine-producing families in Italy—and one of the original champions of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a title they take seriously, with a quiet kind of pride.
Today, the family still lives and works out of their Renaissance-era palazzo, perched on Montepulciano’s central piazza. Beneath the building lies their atmospheric, centuries-old cellar, where wines rest peacefully in massive oak casks until they’re ready to be released. There’s no flash or frills here—just generations of knowledge and deep respect for the land.
The Contucci philosophy is rooted in tradition and sustainability. They farm Prugnolo Gentile (the local Sangiovese clone) across about 21 hectares of hillside vineyards, maintaining healthy soils and letting the vines speak for themselves. No shortcuts, no trends—just timeless winemaking. Fermentation happens naturally, aging is done slowly in large Slovenian oak, and the results are balanced, soulful wines that tell the story of their place and heritage.
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Somm Notes
Let’s talk Prugnolo Gentile—the star of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and a uniquely expressive clone of Sangiovese. While Brunello di Montalcino is made from Sangiovese Grosso (known for bold tannins and power) and Chianti favors Sangiovese Piccolo (usually leaner and more acidic), Prugnolo Gentile hits a beautiful middle ground. It’s known for aromatic complexity, with notes of black cherry, violet, dried herbs, and earthy spice, paired with smooth tannins and age-worthy structure.
What makes Prugnolo Gentile shine in Montepulciano is the terroir—a high-elevation mix of clay, limestone, and marine sediment that adds both weight and finesse to the wine. You get the savory backbone of Sangiovese with a softer, more floral edge, often making Vino Nobile the most overlooked (and most versatile) expression of Tuscany’s signature grape.
In terms of quality tiers, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must be aged a minimum of two years before release, with at least one year in oak. The Riserva designation requires three years of aging, while top-tier bottlings may come from single vineyards or be labeled Selezione—like Contucci’s Pietra Rossa, which comes from a specific vineyard site known for its rocky soils and bold structure.
As for pairing? This 2017 vintage is hitting its stride, with just enough age to mellow the tannins and let the secondary notes of dried fruit, leather, and warm spice come forward. It’s a natural with classic Tuscan fare—think wild boar ragù, aged pecorino, or herbed porchetta. But it also plays beautifully with more comforting dishes like mushroom risotto, roasted eggplant, or even a truffle-laced pasta if you're feeling fancy.
93 points, Wine Enthusiast.
Aromas of fragrant purple flower, new leather, forest floor and camphor form the enticing nose. Savory and elegantly structured, the focused palate features juicy black cherry, truffle, and cake spice set against taut, fine-grained tannins. Surprisingly fresh acidity for the vintage keeps it balanced and provides youthful tension. Drink 2023–2029. — Kerin O’Keefe
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Region
The town of Montepulciano may be small in size, but in the world of wine, it carries big weight. Tucked into southern Tuscany—just southeast of Montalcino and west of Umbria—it’s home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of Italy’s original fine wines and the first to earn DOCG status in 1980.
Here, vineyards are planted at elevations of 250–600 meters, with soils that are more clay- and silt-based, interspersed with limestone and marine fossils. That mix results in wines with more earthiness and structure than Chianti, but slightly less power than a Brunello—striking a perfect middle ground that balances elegance with age-worthy depth.