About this wine
Profile
Literally holy wine, Vin Santo is a sweet wine deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition. The earliest references date back to the Renaissance, which is also when the Avignonesi family first appeared on the scene. To this day, our Vin Santo and Occhio di Pernice are made using the “madre” (a natural yeast starter) that has been passed down through generations, giving the wine its ethereal taste. This sweet wine is the result of an exceptionally long ageing process, during which more than half of this precious liquid evaporates.
Grapes
100% Sangiovese
Alcohol
12,5%
Production
375 ml: 2,605 bottles 100 ml: 600 bottles 2011 awards 96 pt Wine Spectator 95 pt James Suckling 94 pt Vinous
Tasting notes
Dense and enigmatic, Occhio di Pernice reveals a complex, enveloping bouquet with aromas of dried plums and dates, propolis, spiced gingerbread, malaga, and tobacco. On the palate, it is sweet and spicy, echoing the olfactory notes while expanding into dried apricot and smoked hazelnut, with subtle hints of Christmas spices. A wine that astonishes with every sip thanks to its concentration and depth. The lingering aftertaste is extraordinarily long. 2011 2010 2005
Vintage technical details
2011
OCCHIO DI PERNICE VIN SANTO DI MONTEPULCIANO D.O.C. 2011 Literally holy wine, Vin Santo is a sweet wine deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition. The earliest references date back to the Renaissance, which is also when the Avignonesi family first appeared on the scene. To this day, our Vin Santo and Occhio di Pernice are made using the “madre” (a natural yeast starter) that has been passed down through generations, giving the wine its ethereal taste. This sweet wine is the result of an exceptionally long ageing process, during which more than half of this precious liquid evaporates. TASTING NOTES Dense and enigmatic, Occhio di Pernice reveals a complex, enveloping bouquet with aromas of dried plums and dates, propolis, spiced gingerbread, malaga, and tobacco. On the palate, it is sweet and spicy, echoing the olfactory notes while expanding into dried apricot and smoked hazelnut, with subtle hints of Christmas spices. A wine that astonishes with every sip thanks to its concentration and depth. The lingering aftertaste is extraordinarily long. ..................................................................................................................................................... GRAPES 100% Sangiovese ALCOHOL 12,5% PRODUCTION 375 ml: 2.605 bottles 100 ml: 600 bottles ..................................................................................................................................................... FROM VINEYARD TO VINIFICATION SOIL TYPE Layers of clay, sand, and silt of Pliocene origin (3–5 million years ago). VINEYARD SPECIFICS The loosely packed Sangiovese bunches were selected from our finest vineyards in the Montepulciano area HARVEST The grapes were hand-picked in the first half of September, placed in small crates lined with vine leaves, and immediately laid out on bamboo mats in the “appassitoio” (drying room), where they are left to wither for several months VINIFICATION The grapes were gently pressed and the must was transferred into “caratelli” (small 50-60 L barrels) for a slow, natural fermentation, with the addition of the indigenous yeast known as the “madre”. AGEING Over 10 years in caratelli. ..................................................................................................................................................... AWARDS 2011: 96 pts Wine Spectator | 95 pts James Suckling | 94 pts Vinous
2010
OCCHIO DI PERNICE VIN SANTO DI MONTEPULCIANO D.O.C. 2010 WWW.AVIGNONESI.IT VINEYARD GRAPES Sangiovese SOIL TYPE Layers of clay, sand and silt, from the Pliocene (3-5 million years ago). VINEYARD SPECIFICS The sparse bunches of Sangiovese were selected in our most suitable vineyards in the Montepulciano area. .............................................................................................................................................. VINIFICATION HARVEST The grapes were harvested by hand in the first half of September, in small crates covered with vine leaves, and immediately laid out on bamboo mats in the appassitoio (drying room), where they remained to dry for several months. VINIFICATION The grapes are softly pressed and the must is transferred in “caratelli” (50-60 liter oak casks) for a slow, natural fermentation with the aid of an indigenous yeast known as “madre”. AGEING More than 10 years in “caratelli” ALCOHOL AND TOTAL PRODUCTION 12,5% - 375 ml bottles: 2,204; 100 ml bottles: 3,132 Literally holy wine, the Vin Santo is a sweet wine deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition. The first references date back to the Renaissance, which is also when the Avignonesi family first came on the scene. To this date our Vin Santo and Occhio di Pernice are produced with the madre (yeast) that has been passed on for generations and provides that ethereal taste. This sweet wine is the result of an exceptionally long ageing process during which over half of this precious liquid evaporates. It has been calculated that with the same amount of grapes used to produce one of our 375 ml bottle you can produce twenty-four 750 ml bottles of wine. TASTING NOTES Dense and mysterious, the Occhio di Pernice reveals a complex and enveloping bouquet with aromas of dried plums and dates, propolis, gingerbread, malaga and tobacco. In the mouth it is sweet and spicy and the olfactory notes return, expanding with those of dried apricots and smoked hazelnut with small nuances of Christmas spices. A wine that surprises with every sip for its concentration and depth. The aftertaste persistence is incredibly long. ..............................................................................................................................................
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VINIFICATION HARVEST The grapes have been hand-picked from the best vineyard parcels and placed in small, vine leaf-coated bins. VINIFICATION The grapes are laid out for a few months on straw mats in the “appassitoio” (drying room). They are then softly pressed and the must is transferred in “caratelli” (50-liter oak casks) for a slow, natural fermentation with the aid of an indigenous yeast known as “madre”. AGEING At least 10 years in “caratelli” (50-60 litres). ALCOHOL AND TOTAL PRODUCTION 12.5% - 375 ml bottles: 2,040; 100 ml bottles: 1,700; 750 ml bottles: 60. AWARDS 2002: 98 pts Decanter | 96 pts Wine Spectator | 98 pts Wine Advocate 94 pts Wine Enthusiast | Corona Vini Buoni d’Italia | 4 Viti AIS 2001: 98 pts Wine Spectator | 100 pts Wine Advocate | 94 pts Vinous Miglior vino dolce o da meditazione Veronelli Corona Vini Buoni d’Italia | 4 Viti AIS 2000: 96 pts Wine Spectator | 98 pts Wine Advocate | Eccellenza Espresso Corona Vini Buoni d’Italia | 4 Viti AIS 1999: 98 pts Wine Spectator | 97 pts Wine Advocate | Eccellenza Espresso 1998: 97 pts Wine Spectator | 96 pts Wine Advocate | Eccellenza Espresso VINEYARD GRAPES Sangiovese. SOIL TYPE Layers of clay, sand and silt, from the Pliocene (3-5 million years ago). VINEYARD SPECIFICS The sparse bunches of Sangiovese were selected in our most suitable vineyards in the Montepulciano area. Literally holy wine, the Vin Santo is a sweet wine deeply rooted in Tuscan tradition. The first references date back to the Renaissance, which is also when the Avignonesi family first came on the scene. To this date our Vin Santo and Occhio di Pernice are produced with the madre (yeast) that has been passed on for generations and provides that ethereal taste. This sweet wine is the result of an exceptionally long ageing process during which over half of this precious liquid evaporates. It has been calculated that with the same amount of grapes used to produce one of our 375 ml bottle you can produce twenty-four 750 ml bottles of wine. OCCHIO DI PERNICE VIN SANTO DI MONTEPULCIANO D.O.C. 2005 WWW.AVIGNONESI.IT TASTING NOTES Dense and mysterious, the Occhio di Pernice reveals a complex and enveloping bouquet with aromas of dried plums and dates, propolis, gingerbread, malaga and tobacco. In the mouth it is sweet and spicy and the olfactory notes return, expanding with those of dried apricots and smoked hazelnut with small nuances of Christmas spices. A wine that surprises with every sip for its concentration and depth. The aftertaste persistence is incredibly long.