Red wines from Tuscany

This is the perfect lighter red to choose if you're looking for something Italian that's smooth and a little spicy, but not too heavy

Avignonesi's basic Rosso is a versatile, everyday wine that really sings alongside roast meats, meat pies, and strong cheeses. It's produced from hand-picked grapes grown on 300m high south-facing slopes around the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, and is aged for nine months in large oak barrels before bottling, with a further three months' bottle rest prior to release.

• 88/100 Bronze Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards
• 90/100/smart buy - Wine Spectator
• 2 red glasses/price-quality award - Gambero Rosso

The Ormanni estate is located in Tuscany, between Poggibonsi and Castellina in Chianti. Founded by the Ormanni family in 13th century, it has been owned by the Brini family since 1818.

This Chianti Classico is made principally from Sangiovese grapes, with ten per cent of Canaiolo, all estate grown, and aged for twelve months in oak barrels and casks. It's a medium- to full-bodied wine, with cherry and hedgerow fruit character. There's a hint of liquorice and some cleansing, earthy minerality too.

The 13th Century Ormanni estate is located right in the heart of Chianti, between the towns of Poggibonsi and Castellina. Proof of the incredible heritage of this Tuscan property can be found in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, where the Ormanni family is mentioned.

For the last 200 years the estate has been owned by the Brini Batecchi family, and it is Paolo Brini Batecchi together with his daughter Paola who run the winery today.

The farm covers an area of 242 ha of land, 68 of which are vineyards dedicated principally to the cultivation of Sangiovese. They also have two beautiful agriturismo resorts, Podere La Querce and Podere Montignano.

Dante's Divine Comedy mentions the Ormanni property: proof of its ancient heritage.
For proof of its remarkable wines, try this mouthwatering Chianti with brisk tannins, fresh acidity, and savoury notes of black cherry, tea leaves and herbs.

The Sangiovese grape can sometimes pose a challenge for producers and even for drinkers, and in the past some very indifferent wines have been passed off as "Chianti" – but the prestigious history of the Ormanni estate and the Brini Batacchis' constant striving for improvements in both vineyard and cellar mean that there's nothing to worry about in this case.

The estate's basic Chianti DOCG is a medium-bodied, lively red with aromas of cherries and hints of the distinctive violet scent of great Sangiovese. Savoury notes of herbs combine with its bright acidity and judicious tannins to deliver a satisfying and easy-drinking wine that looks as good in shirtsleeves at a casual lunch or picnic as it does dressed up for dinner.

The Ormanni estate is located right in the heart of Chianti, between the towns of Poggibonsi and Castellina, and dates back to at least the thirteenth century.

For the last two hundred years, the estate has been owned by the Brini Batacchi family, and it is Paolo Brini Batacchi together with his daughter Paola who run the winery today.

The farm covers an area of 242 hectares, 68 of which are vineyards dedicated principally to the cultivation of Sangiovese. There are also two beautiful agriturismo resorts, Podere La Querce and Podere Montignano, on the property.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, awarded DOCG status in 1980, is made in the hills surrounding the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. It is surrounded by the large Chianti subzone of Chianti Colli Senesi.

Regulations dictate that the vineyards must sit on the hills (250m-600m) around the town and that the grape to be used (at least 60-80% of the final blend) is Prugnolo Gentile (the local name for Sangiovese Grosso, the strain of Sangiovese used in Tuscan superstar-wine Brunello). The balance is made up of a combination of Canaiolo, Mammolo, Malvasia and some international varieties.

90/100 "A light, elegant style, delivering cherry, iron, leather and earth flavors in a balanced profile. Clean and lively, with a lingering aftertaste of leather, earth and almond. Drink now through 2023."
Wine Spectator

The use of Tuscan clay rather than stainless steel brings an authentic local method to the vinification of this wine. The result is exuberant, pure cherry and red berry fruit flavours, polished and vibrant, with a gentle, spicy finish.

The name Da-Di is taken from Chinese words meaning 'earth' or 'soil', and is a reminder that this pure Sangiovese was made using twelve terracotta vessels especially produced for the winery using Tuscan clay.

Vinification in clay is an ancient technique, and gives the finished wine a lift and polish quite different from the effect achieved with oak.

The perfect vintage yielded a rich, complex wine full of ripe fruit and given further depth and harmony by two years' ageing in oak barrels.

The earthy, savoury edge to its dark cherry character makes it a diner's delight alongside a variety of sophisticated dishes from mushrooms and game to roasts, stews and mature cheeses.

From what is likely to be a very long-lived vintage, this is a richly coloured and aromatic red, with spicy red fruit notes on the nose and in the mouth.

It's beautifully balanced and ready to drink—if you can't wait—with fine tannins from the fruit (there's no oak ageing).

Intense fruit character in a soft, rounded wine that exceeds its brief for an IGT blend.

Poderuccio brings together Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of the local Sangiovese in a smooth and versatile red that benefits from six months in French oak after fermentation.

This blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes is an aromatic and fruity red wine, with dark cherry and blackberry character and soft, lasting tannins. 

Montecucco lies in Grosseto province in southern Tuscany, and this bright but rounded and structured red makes a perfect match for all kinds of savoury dishes, from grilled and roast meats to pasta in tomato-based sauces or a good cheese selection.

Master taster Giulio Gambelli and Paolo Brini Batacchi, owner of Tenuta Ormanni and an expert on Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah, have created a Super Tuscan that further enriches the estate's already formidable array of premium wines.

Step by step, Maestro Gambelli has personally assessed the soils and identified the zones where grapes should be collected and selected, overseeing vinification and the choice of barrels. His dedication and commitment have been rewarded by the creation of Julius, a name that Brini Batacchi family adopted in honour of its expert taster.

The judicious combination of hand-picked Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah combined with eight to ten months' aging in barriques yields an exceptional vino da tavola.

The thirteenth century Ormanni estate is right in the heart of Chianti, located between Poggibonsi and Castellina, and evidence of the incredible heritage of this Tuscan property is provided by a mention of the Ormanni family in Dante's Divine Comedy.

‘Intense, deep red in colour, the main trait of Desiderio 2015 is the harmony between the sweet fruity notes, typical to Merlot, and the power, testament of the 2015 vintage. The bouquet is deeply endowed with black currant, myrtle, eucalyptus and black cherries. Very savoury, with hints of incense, the wine has velvety tannins and impressive persistence. Son of a warm vintage, vinified with great finesse.’

Plush and modern, Desiderio shows layers of complexity from the first glass, when gorgeous aromas of fruitcake, truffles, violets, black olive and chocolate waft from the bowl. Powerful, yet refined, it really is a wine to savour and enjoy with another wine lover or two - 'an overwhelming and sensual Merlot'.

The grapes are sourced from the estates of La Selva and La Lombarda, both located between the historic towns of Valiano and Cortona, within the Cortona DOC appellation.

The Desiderio Merlot is named after the white bull you see on the label.

This impressive animal, weighing 1,673 kg / 3,688 lbs, lived on Avignonesi's estate Le Capezzine towards the end of the 19th century. He was, in fact, the largest bull in Cortona and was used to sire the rest of the cattle from the local breed "Chianina" in the region.

The Chianina has earned its fame as the breed which gives us the delicious meat for the famous bistecca fiorentina (Florentine T-bone steak), easily recognizable due to its striking white colour.

The bull Desiderio is known and recognized as one of the forefathers of the Chianina breed, together with another bull by the name of Donetto. In fact, when you savour a bistecca fiorentina today, there is a good chance you will find some Desiderio DNA in it.

Avignonesi decided to honour this majestic animal by naming one of its most emblematic wines after it: the Desiderio Merlot, which, just like the bull, is full, impressive, and sensual.

Consistent scores of 90-94 in the Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator.

• Bronze Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2015

• 91/100"Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate and spice enliven this ripe, juicy red. The tannins are dense and firm, and the finish stays fresh and long. Drink now through 2021."
  BS, Wine Spectator

Fermented in the same way as the Brunello, this vivacious Rosso exudes bright aromas of cherry stone, vanilla and caper, while the moderately-tannic, full-bodied wash is full of smokey olives, savoury cedar and raspberry flavours.

Aged in 60% barriques (one-fifth new) and 40% stainless steel.

Enjoy, after decanting, with mature cheeses, roasted meats, game pie and sauced mushroom dishes.

Rosso di Montalcino is found in the same delimited area as its more illustrious sibling Brunello di Montalcino. The DOC was created in 1984 in order to make the most of the fruit from the region’s younger vines, the idea being to create a fresher style that required less ageing (just one year) than its stablemate. This would enable Brunello producers to make money while waiting for their DOCG wine to age, as well as declassify any Brunello (still reposing) whose development they were not entirely happy with.

Piancornello takes its name from a hamlet just south of Montalcino where the winery is located. The 10 hectares of estate vineyards are located on hilly land with rocky, volcanic soils and southern exposures, which contribute to crafting full bodied, mineral wines.>/p>

A fresh-scented organic red, with clear ruby colour and good acidity. Six months in oak lend depth and spice to the intense red fruit flavours of its pure Sangiovese, and make it a wine to enjoy with savoury dishes such as roast pork or with strong cheese.

• • 93 pts Vinous
• • 90 pts Wine Spectator
• • 92 pts Wine Enthusiast
• • 92 pts James Suckling

Intense aromas of violets, raspberries, redcurrants and sweet cherries with underlying hints of leather and cumin. Warm and full-bodied with savoury depth and a long, spicy finish.

A magnificent, powerful wine that will repay further aging.

The Ormanni estate is located in Tuscany, between Poggibonsi and Casstellina in Chianti. Founded by the Ormanni family in 13th century, it has been owned by the Brini family since 1818. The Chianti Classico is produced from Sangiovese 90% and Canaiolo 10% estate grown grapes.It ages for twelve months in oak barrels and casks.

The 13th century Ormanni estate is located right in the heart of Chianti, between the towns of Poggibonsi and Castellina. Proof of the incredible heritage of this Tuscan property can be found in Dante Alighieri’s 'Divina Commedia', where the Ormanni family is mentioned. For the last 200 years the estate has been owned by the Brini Batecchi family, and it is Paolo Brini Batecchi together with his daughter Paola who run the winery today.

Intense aromas of violets, raspberries, redcurrants and sweet cherries with underlying hints of leather and cumin. Warm and full-bodied with savoury depth and a long, spicy finish.

A magnificent, powerful wine that will repay further ageing.

Deep purple-red colour and spicy dark fruits in a full, rounded SuperTuscan with firm structure and great length, aged for twelve months in French oak barriques.  

From a forty-acre estate that contains a boutique hotel as well as the vineyards for Stefano Sincini's prestigious range of wines, this is a bottle with the potential for long ageing—but its generous bramble flavours and fresh acidity make it delicious drinking already.

• • 92/100 Wine Spectator
• • 93/100 James Suckling
• • 92/100 Vinous
• • 92/100 Wine Enthusiast

A full and splendid expression of Sangiovese and the Avignonesi terroir, this is a powerful, elegant red, suitable for further aging, but already showing complex aromas of herbs, flowers and tobacco. Concentrated flavours of rich red fruit will deepen and evolve with the years, shaped by silky tannins.

In this vintage the wine was blended from the fruit of four different and distinct vineyards: Oceano, Poggetti di Sopra, Le Badelle and El Grasso.

The Ormanni estate is located in Tuscany, between Poggibonsi and Casstellina in Chianti. Founded by the Ormanni family in 13th century, it has been owned by the Brini family since 1818. The Chianti Classico is produced from Sangiovese 90% and Canaiolo 10% estate grown grapes.It ages for twelve months in oak barrels and casks.

The 13th century Ormanni estate is located right in the heart of Chianti, between the towns of Poggibonsi and Castellina. Proof of the incredible heritage of this Tuscan property can be found in Dante Alighieri’s 'Divina Commedia', where the Ormanni family is mentioned. For the last 200 years the estate has been owned by the Brini Batecchi family, and it is Paolo Brini Batecchi together with his daughter Paola who run the winery today.

Intense aromas of violets, raspberries, redcurrants and sweet cherries with underlying hints of leather and cumin. Warm and full-bodied with savoury depth and a long, spicy finish.

A magnificent, powerful wine that will repay further ageing.

This is the perfect lighter red to choose if you're looking for something Italian that's smooth and a little spicy, but not too heavy.

Avignonesi's basic Rosso is a versatile, everyday wine that really sings alongside roast meats, meat pies, and strong cheeses. It's produced from hand-picked grapes grown on 300m high south-facing slopes around the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, and is aged for nine months in large oak barrels before bottling, with a further three months' bottle rest prior to release.