2011 Le Stanze, Poliziano, Tuscany, Italy

Azienda Agricola Poliziano

Located in the heart of Tuscany, specifically in the Montepulciano region, Azienda Agricola Poliziano was founded by Dino Carletti in 1961 and named after the Renaissance poet Angelo Ambrogini, known as “Il Poliziano.” The winery has become synonymous with producing high-quality Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, embracing traditional winemaking techniques alongside modern innovations.

Poliziano is celebrated for its meticulous vineyard management, focusing on cultivating Sangiovese grapes, especially the local Prugnolo Gentile clone. This attention to detail is evident in their wines, which consistently exhibit the unique characteristics of the terroir. The estate produces various wines, including Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di Montepulciano, and Super Tuscans.

The wines are known for their elegance, complexity, and the expression of Montepulciano’s distinct soil and climate. The winery combines traditional winemaking methods and modern technology to craft wines that reflect tradition and innovation. Their commitment to quality has earned them international recognition and a loyal following among wine enthusiasts.

Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot.

In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% (Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity.

In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and  Australia.