Montemercurio is an organic estate winery in the northern sector of the Montepulciano region in Tuscany, Italy. It produces Rosso di Montepulciano DOC and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG red wines, plus a Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC.

Owner: Paolo Luciani. Staff: Irene Lesti. Marco Anselmi (Adamo’s grandson). Consultants: Vineyards: Stefano Dini. Winemaking: Emiliano Falsini.

Background: The first vineyards were planted in the early 1960s by grandfather Adamo “Damo” Anselmi near the Tempio di San Biagio, Montepulciano. He was from Piemonte and Brough eg. Barbera vines here. After he died, the Anselmi family took over his 3 hectare vineyard. From the early 2000s another 7 hectares were planted, mainly Sangiovese, plus Merlot in the lowest part with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo. The first wines were released from the 2007 vintage.

The name: “Montemercurio” or Mount Mercury seems to have been the original name in Roman times of the city of Polizia (today’s Montepulciano) because on its summit stood a temple dedicated to the God Mercury.

Vineyards: 10 hectares (24.7 acres). Near the town of Montepulciano, at 450 metres, below the Tempio di San Biagio. SW facing. Soil “a base argillosa”. 1 hectare (2.47 acres) for Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, 3.75 hectares (9.26 acres) for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and 1 hectare (2.47 acres) for Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC. Also have some Barbera

Organic certification: 2015 First vintage with full organic certification.

Winemaking: Hand picked. Wild ferments.

Sparkling wines

2014 Debut. 80% Sangiovese, 20% Mammolo, Canaiolo Nero, and Colorino. All picked together for better harmony. 48 hours on skins. Traditional method. Fermented in new oak. Two different yeasts, one for the base wine, the other for the prise de mousse’. Disgorged on site after 54 months in June 2020. 2,000 bottles. Plenty of colour, yellow fruit, marine flavours with a bit of tannin (Visit with Einar).

White wines

Toscana Bianco IGT, Cadùceo: Canaiolo Bianco, Malvasia Bianca, Grechetto (‘Pulcinculo’), Trebbiano Toscano. 1960s vines. Vines propagated from their own Biotypes. 3 months on large oak. Light, soft pineapple (Anteprima 2020). | 2019 3 months in large oak. 13% alc. 3,000 bottles. Well-weighted soft pineapple fruit, clearly expressed, savoury undertone, well grown and constructed, with lemon, licorice, very individual texture (Visit 2020).

Pink wines

Rosato: 2019 12.5% alc. 1,500 bottles. To 16°C. Stainless steel. no oak. Salmon pink. (Visit with Einar 2020).

Red wines

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Petaso: 2009 Aged in botti. Rich and old viney but also some brett too (2014 Anteprima). 2017 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. 15% alc. | 2018 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot. 12m in oak, Rich, well structured, plenty of fruit.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Damo: From an old vineyard, with various varieties inter-planted (the white grapes, Grechetto and Canaiolo Bianco are picked separately for a white wine). Named after grandfather Adamo Anselmi. The Barbera came from Piemonte Hand picked. Favour punch downs to pump overs. | 2007 80% Sangiovese, 20% Barbera, Canaiolo, Montepulciano and Carmenère. 50-60 days on skins. 12 months in small botti (10-12hl), then moved to larger botti. Old viney, then some bake and astringency followed by mint and vanilla (2014 Anteprima). | 2010 (2014 Anteprima). | 2011 14.5% 3,000 bottles. Nice freshness despite the alcohol (2020 Anteprima). | 2012 36 months in oak vats. Nice old vines-ness (2020 Anteprima). | 2016 24 months on oak botti with mixed staves. 15% alc. Big, less controlled and compact than the other wines, slightly dry end.  (Visit with Einar).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Messaggero: Why “Messaggero”? Because as the God Mercury was the messenger of the Gods, even his Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has the mission to carry around the world the message of the Tuscan tradition. | 2012 Vinegary, drying out (Anteprima 2018). | 2016 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo Nero. 15% alc. Rich red fruit, clear, mouth-filling without seeming at all heavy (Dec 2020).

Vin Santo

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC: 1986 Only 992 bottles. Released after 25 years. | 2007 Fermented in stainless steel. Sweet fruit but rather evolved (2014 Anteprima). Produced from Vin Santo made by his grandfather taken from the best old barrels and vintages. Lovely, very sweet, very good acidity (Anteprima 2020).

Spirits

Grappa di Vino Nobile

Contact

Montemercurio

Via di Totona, 25/A

I-53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0578 716610 | Website: www.montemercurio.com