Two Faces of Montepulciano, One Estate
The Fanetti family helped revive Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in the early 20th century and remains one of the benchmark producers of the appellation today. The estate sits in the heart of Montepulciano, farming vineyards that have defined the region for generations. Today we're featuring two wines from the estate that perfectly illustrate the difference between Montepulciano's two classic red wine styles, Rosso and Vino Nobile
2024 Cantina Fanetti Rosso di Montepulciano
Think of Rosso di Montepulciano as Tuscany's under-appreciated every day drinker. Produced for earlier drinking and less aging than Vino Nobile, it showcases the vibrant side of Sangiovese: fresh cherry fruit, bright acidity, soft tannins, and immediate appeal. Fanetti's Rosso is designed to be approachable, food-friendly, and versatile enough for everything from pizza night to grilled meats and pasta. The estate itself describes Rosso as a younger, lighter wine than Vino Nobile, making it especially suited for everyday enjoyment.
The 2024 vintage is all about freshness and energy. It is a bottle you can open tonight and enjoy without hesitation.
2017 Cantina Fanetti Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
If Rosso is the introduction, Vino Nobile is the masterclass.
Vino Nobile is Montepulciano's flagship DOCG wine, requiring extended aging before release and delivering significantly more depth, structure, and complexity than Rosso. Built from the local Sangiovese clone known as Prugnolo Gentile, these wines develop layers of dark cherry, dried herbs, leather, earth, and spice over time.
Most consumers expect to pay a premium for a mature Tuscan red with nearly a decade of bottle age. Yet here is a traditionally made Vino Nobile from one of the historic families of the appellation, already carrying the secondary characteristics that wine lovers spend years waiting for. The tannins have softened, the fruit has gained nuance, and the wine is entering a beautiful drinking window. Professional critics have recognized the quality of Fanetti's 2017 bottlings, with the estate's 2017 Riserva earning 94 points from Wine Enthusiast.
Also, this is not just what we have to sell, this is the actual current release from the estate. They believe in holding back wine until it is ready to drink, which I love. In today's market, finding a well-aged, estate-grown Tuscan DOCG at this price is increasingly rare.
2024 Rosso di Montepulciano: youthful, fresh, approachable, and built for immediate enjoyment. 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: deeper, more complex, traditionally aged, and delivering the kind of maturity normally reserved for wines costing considerably more. Whether you're looking for a weeknight red or a cellar-worthy Tuscan classic ready to drink now, Fanetti offers both ends of the spectrum.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
The nose starts in a cooler full of soda, with notes of cherry, vanilla and a lightly medicinal quality, before turning savory with aromas of soil, graphite and leather. On the classic Vino Nobile palate, snarling tannins and acid bring an exhilarating feel to the dance of sweet, spicy and savory. — Danielle Callegari
