Podere Il Macchione, with Simone Abram
On tasting from noon today in our Bishopsgate shop
When brothers Simone and Leonardo Abram bought Il Macchione, it wasn't an undiscovered estate; it had already become well-known under the previous owner, Swiss wine enthusiast Dr Robert Kengelbacher. But Simone and Leonardo both felt that it had become a little too international in style and wanted to restore it to a more authentically Montepulciano character. The first thing they did was rip out the Merlot vines. Appellation rules demand at least 70% Sangiovese, while any balance can be made up from other local varieties or, more recently, international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah. Il Macchione is now 100% Prugnolo Gentile, the local Sangiovese clone. That done, they began the arduous process of transforming the whole estate to biodynamics, and have been rewarded with higher quality fruit as a result.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is often characterised as being a little richer and less mineral than Chianti, and typically a little less bold and extracted than its other great Tuscan neighbour, Brunello. That's a fairly accurate description of where Il Macchione now sits, medium-weight, with classically Italian cherry fruit and a touch of musk. The riserva has slightly smokier depths.
We're delighted to welcome Simone Abram to the shop today. He'll be here from noon till two, and we'll have both the Il Macchione normale and the riserva on tasting from noon till 6:30. Come and taste the wines, and put your questions to Simone. /NT
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available immediately
