I love Vino Nobile and have drunk them since 1974; they cost less than Brunello, and taste richer than Chianti.  They are Tuscany’s best buy! Sangiovese is the grape that makes all the best wines in Tuscany. The 2000 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, at 13.5% alcohol, from Lot 0004, cost $32. This DOCG Tuscan wine scored 18+ points on the 20-point Dionysian scale.

The wine had aromas of cherry pits and herbs, and it was round and soft on the lingering finish. It paired with a number of courses including venison.

Nearly every Italian wine is designed to go with food. Once you get use to drinking wines like this one, the “Parker-Powered” wines with high alcohol and big jammy fruits begin to taste like cola drinks that deaden the taste buds.

Remember, when the word Montepulciano appears last on the label, it’s the city where the wine comes from, and not the grape.

The Boscarelli wines are always among the top rated examples from this area and should be aged a while, then shared with friends. In vino veritas.