Located at the heart of the Vino Nobile zone, Tenuta Valdipiatta is run by Miriam Caporali, who brought in top Bordeaux oenologist Eric Boissenot in 2010. Eric also consults for Châteaux Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Palmer. Miriam’s father, Giulio Caporali, bought Valdipiatta at the end of the 1980s, and handed the running of it over to Miriam in 2002. The property comprises 30 hectares, of which 22 hectares are under vine and planted primarily with Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile in Montepulciano). Their Vino Nobile is elegant and supple with refreshing acidity and great structure. Their single vineyard “Vigna d’Alfiero” comes from one of the oldest vineyards of the estate, where the old vines were planted by the first farmer working on the estate, Alfiero Carpini. The soil here is clay with some volcanic deposit giving a silky and elegant wine. Winter was warm and wet which caused an early bud break. May and June were cooler and rainier than normal which slowed the growing cycle and increased disease pressure in the vineyard. The conditions in July were more normal, however, August was wet and cool again. Fortunately, September brought more favourable weather and the fruit was able to ripen steadily through to harvest which took place between 15th September to 4th October. This wine is deep ruby red in colour. On the nose, there are intense aromas of sour cherry, raspberry, violet and plums complemented by aromatic herbs and notes of balsamic. It is full-bodied with silky tannins, a refreshing acidity and a wonderfully lingering finish.