Located just a short drive due east of the ancient walled village of Montepulciano, in the tiny enclave of Cervognano, Alessandro Sartini is a man with Tuscan winemaking in his blood. In fact, his winemaking mentor and grandfather, Adamo Fanetti, was the founder of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation. Having only started crafting wines on a commercial scale just 8 short years ago (though he had been producing for friends and family for many years prior), Alessandro has dedicated himself to ensuring the sustainability of his property: all of the winery’s power is generated through solar panels, all of its water purified from an on-site well, and as one would imagine from a gentleman so dedicated to the preservation of the earth’s resources, all farming on the property is certified organic.
Named in reference to a species of a small, colorful bird that buzzes the vines of this region, this is a wonderfully transparent and pure take on Sangiovese from this warmer, south-westerly corner of Tuscany. Sartini’s entry-level Rosso di Montepulciano is crafted almost entirely of Sangiovese (or Prugnolo Gentile, as it is monikered down here) with just a splash of Alicante added to the blend. Raised entirely in steel tanks, preserving freshness and crunch, this racy red offers a tight and bright nose of wild and leafy red fruits, red and purple florals, a woodsy, almost medicinal bark quality, and whiffs of dark culinary spice. It's vibrant and moreishly savory, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, white pepper, and star anise before puckering into a crunchy mineral finish evoking rusty iron and scorched red earth. Smooth and accessible, with supple, chewy tannins, the Il Golo strikes great balance between old school Tuscan tells and breezy porch-pounding quafability.