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Founded in 1961 by Dino Carletti, the Poliziano estate is a perfect example of how a relentless quest for perfection has achieved remarkable results. Starting with only 54 acres in the commune of Montepulciano, the estate has now grown to over 640 acres under the direction of Dino’s son, Federico Carletti. Federico is an agronomist, but he prefers to think of himself as a farmer because he is convinced that great wines originate in the vineyard. In addition to his superior knowledge of the vineyards, his enthusiasm for his land and creating a superior product are infectious.
Carletti’s work at Poliziano estate has always been focused on achieving perfection with as little intervention as possible. While this sounds counterintuitive—it has worked. Over the years, he has eliminated less favorably positioned sites and replanted where the soil and climate were optimal. The selection of clones—many from the estate’s own original plant material—the planting layouts, rootstock choices, pruning methods and training systems are all meticulously chosen. Dense plantings, but only up to a maximum of 2,000 plants per acre, are harvested parcel by parcel in every vintage at Poliziano. This is to pay respect to the different terroirs that exist in Montepulciano. Today, Poliziano produces more than 83,000 cases from about 400 organically farmed acres in Montepulciano, nearby Cortona and coastal Tuscany's Maremma region. Most of it is Sangiovese. Solar panels power more than 20% of the winery. In 2021 the estate was certified organic. In 2019 and 2021 respectively, Francesco and Maria Stella, Federico’s children, joined him at the winery as essential advisors ready to interpret and face both current and future challenges.
In the winery, the same attention to detail is in place, with multiple selections and the use of an optical sorter which allows for small-batch vinifications. However, for the top-end cuvees, Carletti prefers to rely on the human hand to sort. Wood regimes are chosen with an eye to preserving the fruit in the wine, not overpowering it. Multiple container sizes and varieties of oak complement each parcel that ages in the gravity-fed winery.
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LOCATIONWINERY: Montepulciano, Tuscany VINEYARD: Montepulciano, Tuscany; Cortona, Tuscany VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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94
FEBRUARY 2025
Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Toscana 2021
 The 2021 Nobile di Montepulciano is a classy effort, dusty and floral with a bouquet of dried flowers, stone dust, cedary spices and black cherries. Silky in texture yet lifted in feel, it splashes across the palate with ripe wild berry fruits embellished by hints of lavender over a core of brilliant acidity. This tapers off classically dry and crisp, leaving a web of fine tannins and a pleasantly bitter tinge that lingers on. 94
FEBRUARY 2025
Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone DOCG Toscana 2021
Darkly floral and intense, the 2021 Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone smolders up with an array of crushed blackberries and cherries, all complicated by a whiff of ashen stones. Hints of sage add a lovely lift. Cool-toned and sleek, this washes across the palate with an energetic blend of tart wild berries and complementary violet floral tones. Grippy and pleasantly chewy, the 2021 tapers off with edgy tannins and a tinge of residual acidity that keeps the mouth watering for more. I'm loving the lively nature here. Poliziano has been drastically reducing its use of barriques in favor of tonneaux and large casks, and it really shows here. 92+
FEBRUARY 2025
Poliziano "Le Caggiole" Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2020
Perfumed from start to finish, the 2020 Nobile di Montepulciano Le Caggiole wafts up with a pretty blend of dried roses and wild strawberries complemented by hints of orange zest. Soft and round, this impresses with its lifting acidity and mineral tones as subtle nuances of cherry and blackberry swirl throughout. It tapers off with medium length, gently tannic and with a tinge of wild berries that lingers on. This is a graceful and finessed wine that communicates the sandy soils its sourced from. In 2021 the Le Caggiole will bear the Pieve designation. 92
FEBRUARY 2025
Poliziano “In Violas” Merlot Cortona DOC 2020
Crushed stones and rubbed sage give way to wild berries, hints of black tea and exotic spice as the 2020 In Violas del Poliziano blossoms in the glass. Cool-toned and soothingly round, it sweeps across the palate with silken textures and ripe red and blue fruit notes while taking on a chalky mineral concentration toward the close that I find wildly attractive. It tapers off with a web of fine-grained wood tannins that frames the experience quite well. It is classically dry and has a tinge of licorice that lingers on. 93+
FEBRUARY 2025
Poliziano “Le Stanze del Poliziano” Toscana IGT 2021
Dark and brooding, the 2021 Le Stanze del Poliziano grumbles up with an array of grilled herbs and exotic spices before giving way to dusty black currant notes. This is silken in texture yet racy and spry, with polished red fruit tones that slowly saturate as hints of licorice and a tinge of sour citrus add lovely contrast. The 2021 tapers off with tremendous length and structure, leaving sweet tannins and a bitter blackberry concentration that pinches at the cheeks with youthful tension. Le Stanze del Poliziano comes across as very classic in feel. 92
FEBRUARY 2025
Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Toscana 2021
 The 2021 Poliziano Vino Nobile is a lovely expression of Sangiovese, offering scents of pure red cherry, raspberry and plum fruits interwoven with lovely floral, herb, earth and spice elements. The flavors show the pure ripe red cherry fruit of the Sangiovese backed by hints of plum, dried flowers, herbs, vanilla and spice. This delightful combination of pure fruit with herbal and earthy complexity makes this a superb example of Sangiovese. |
