2012 Fattoria Del Cerro - 538 Wine Notes

Acquired in 1978, the Fattoria del Cerro estate was already an established part of the Montepulciano winemaking community and under the Baiocchi family, who founded the estate in 1922. This tradition allowed Fattoria del Cerro to play a major role in the renaissance this area experienced with the creation of the DOCG appellations in 1980. Fattoria del Cerro emerged from this transitional period as one of the foremost producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Today, Fattoria del Cerro is part of Tenute del Cerro SpA, the Wine Company of Gruppo Unipol, and one of Europe’s largest insurance magnates. Tenute del Cerro represents today the fulfillment of the company’s ambitions. The idea was creating a great wine project, focus on a homeopathy with land and great wine. They understand agriculture, appreciating nature and allowing the wine making to enhance local expressions of wine.   

Today, the estate is comprised of 1,485 acres of land. In addition to olive groves, wooded areas and fields, there are 230 acres of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano vineyards, 90 acres of Rosso di Montepulciano vineyards, 50 acres of Chianti Colli Senesi vineyards and 52 acres of other varietal vineyards. The state-of-the-art winery produces 850,000 bottles of wine every year. From the foundation of Fattoria del Cerro, Tenute del Cerro has expanded its central Italian offerings to five estates, with a total of 300 Ha of vineyards, and 5,000 Ha of land. 

With all of this production, they maintain a balance of modern cleanliness and the earthly terroirs of Tuscany. The Vino Nobile is one of their most classic and famous wines. Montepulciano stands on top of the southern part of the Chiano Valley, about 30 miles south of Siena. The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape (at least 70% by law), then blended with Canaiolo Nero and other local grapes. The wine is aged for 2 years in oak barrels. The riserva would age a third year.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is sometimes confused with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo which is the Montepulciano grape grown in the Abruzzo region further south.

The 2012 offers great value from Tuscany. The combination of good vine age, 2 years in barrel, and a commitment to low yields, this is a fine dinner wine. 92 points from the Wine Spectator.