Alana L rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Cantina Del Giusto San Claudio II D.O.C.G. 2017 (85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero, 5% Mammolo) – Cantina del Giusto is a small size farm sitting just near the foot of Montepulciano in the area of Acquaviva. The San Claudio II (named for the old farm once utilized for winemaking and ageing and now used to conserve precious old winemaking instruments) was rated 91 points by James Suckling as recently as last month. Ruby red with a light orange tint on the outside it’s high on alcohol on the nose but with nice fruit (raspberry, sour cherries, plum, lemon zest), licorice, slight smoke, spice and a hint of earthiness. Medium-bodied, with solid but smooth tannins and palate cleansing acidity it’s fine but packs a big punch of fruit. Think duck, game and beef or hard cheeses for your pairing!

Tasted as part of this week’s virtual Vino Nobile di Montepulciano tasting, showcasing the 2016 and 2017 vintages, organized by the Italian Trade Commission and Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and hosted by Lauren Power.

Not to be confused with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (often budget-friendly reds made with Montepulciano grapes in the Abruzzo region), Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are premium (DOC, DOCG) Sangiovese-based red wines named after the town Montepulciano in Tuscany.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has a long, and storied, wine history closely associated with Italian nobility (it was only available on their tables) and became a controlled designation of origin (DOC) in 1966 and Italy’s first DOCG wine in 1980. These prized Tuscan wines owe their quality not only to the winemaker’s expertise, but also to the geological features of the vineyards (1,300 hectares are registered for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) situated between 250 and 600 meters above sea level. Vino Nobile wines must be made up of a required minimum 70% Sangiovese (called ‘Prugnolo Gentile’ in Montepulciano) and a maximum of 30% of other varieties authorized for the Tuscany Region. By law both vinification and ageing must take place in the municipal area of Montepulciano and must be aged for two years (three for Riserva) before being sold.

2017 is considered a 5 star year and was characterized by extreme hot and dry weather conditions that impacted vine growth and vineyard production and translated to a drastic reduction in yields (the lowest recorded in the last 70 years) resulting in wines that are intense in colour, concentrated, with darker notes and that are well-balanced in alcohol and acidy, complex and with significant tannins. An extreme year resulting in small yields of good and excellent quality wines.

San Claudio Ii 2017 Nobile Di Montepulciano is a youthful wine with aromas of ripe strawberry, raspberry, pink florals and fine herb flavours on a medium-bodied frame finishing with silky tannins and medium-acidity. Pour with a sausage cassoulet. - Community Wine Reviews

If you liked the Cantina del Giusto San Claudio II Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017, you might also like these wines:

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Cantina del Giusto San Claudio II Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017 Wine Review

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