Back to wine list
2011-ROSSO-DI-MONTEPULCIANO-Dei

ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO

2011 Dei

Grapes Prugnolo Gentile
Colour Red
Origin Italy, Tuscany
Sub-district Rosso di Montepulciano
ABV 13.5%

As mentioned in tlast weekend's Observer (click to read the note). This is cracking stuff. Pure, elegant and so bright and vibrant. A perfect example of what can be done here in the beautiful vineyards around historic Montepulciano - but at a fraction of the price of the Vino Nobiles. Spicy with glossy black fruit and some red notes of cooked cherry, this is delicious, very Italian drinking, at a very sensible price. L&S (Oct 2013)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


The 2011 Rosso di Montalcino is soft, open and accessible. Sweet floral notes lead into expressive red fruit in a juicy, approachable red that should drink well for another 2-3 years. August 2013. Rating: 87 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Nov 2013)

Trying this bottle at a recent tasting of wines made from one of a trio of my favourite red grape varieties – sangiovese, nebbiolo and pinot noir – put on by London indie merchant Lea & Sandeman, I scrawled a note saying it "positively sings". Googling the producer later that evening, it turns out that Maria Caterina Dei, the winemaker and driving force of this estate in the Tuscan countryside, was once a professional opera singer. Coincidence? Well probably, and anyway what does it even mean to say that a wine "sings"? I suppose I meant that this red, made from the Chianti grape sangiovese (or prugnolo gentile, as it's known in this part of Tuscany), has a vibrancy of aromatic cherry fruit and a lively, uninhibited juiciness that fills you with joy. David Williams, The Observer (Oct 2013)

A demonstration of how enjoyable and what good value the junior wine, the Rosso, of a good estate in Montepulciano or Montalcino can be. This is perfumed, vibrant, fleshy and easy to drink. And just to keep you on your toes, the grape variety is a clone of Sangiovese called Prugnolo Gentile (there's also 5% each of Canaiolo and Merlot in this wine). Rating: 88 The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com (Oct 2013)

Cantine Dei

The Dei vineyard was founded by Alibrando Dei, grandfather of Caterina who runs it now, when he bought the Bossona vineyard in 1964. This turned out to be a brilliant vineyard site, and is the source of the 'Bossona Riserva'.

In the 1970s Alibrando bought the Villa Martiena, just at the foot of the village of Montepulciano, which came with more land for vineyards and olive trees. At first all the grapes were sold, but in 1985 the family produced their first wines under their own label, renting a winery in the middle of the town. The first winery on the Villa Martiena property was built in 1989. Caterina's father Glauco, also known as ('l'ingegnere' (the engineer) had a successful business in (and a passion for) Travertine marble, so the current gravity-fed winery at Villa Martiena is a palace of Travertine built into the hillside, designed by Glauco and Caterina with the help of architect Alessandro Bagnoli.

The vineyard now extends to 50 hectares, planted at 4700 vines per hectare, in five main parcels; Martiena and Piaggia, at 400m altitude, are mainly a mix of sandstone, giving bright yellow soils, Bossona, also at 400m has tufa on the surface with a calcareous subsoil rich in fossils, and is probbaly still the best site, while Ciarlina, at 300m, is a mix of clay and limestone and Cervognano (250m) is tufa and clay.

Caterina Dei has run the estate for the last 25 years, constantly working at small refinements in the vineyard management, as well as in the winery. Ploughing is kept to a minimum so as to reduce the number of vehicles that have to go into the vines, organic fertiliser and cover crops are used - barley which breaks up the earth like ploughing, clover as a nitrogen-fixer, mustard which is draining, while rape has an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect. When these a mowed off, they add more organic matter to the soil. No chemical herbicides are used, and careful canopy management is used to prevent disease.

Caterina, musician, singer, actor, grew up with the vines around her and with a love for art and the countryside and vineyards, and all inspire her dedicated approach to making this the premier estate for Montepulciano. 'I rediscovered my love for music through good wine, as they are not as different as one may think. Both wine and music speak a universally sensory language, and celebrate the joy of living... This is what I would like to offer at Cantine Dei, as our truly unique winery is the perfect place to celebrate life. This is a place brimming with artistic emotion and passion for wine, where I would like everybody to enjoy a sensory experience, surrounded by culture and art.'

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
  • For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
  • We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
  • Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
  • Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.

RELATED PRODUCTS

ORDER     COLLECT

ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS