Poliziano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Tuscany, Italy) 2010

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine region in Tuscany.  The major grape variety is, of course, Sangiovese, but here as in the Brunello di Montalcino area, they call it Prugnolo Gentile.  This wine from Poliziano boasts 85 percent of the required grape with the remaining 15 percent made up of Colorino, Canaiolo and Merlot.  It is the Prugnolo that shines with elegant red cherry, plum fruit highlighted with vanilla.  The wine is lush, warm and savory on the palate with tangy acidity and dusty tannins. It’s just the thing for taking the chill off a late fall day.