65% Merlot and 35% Sangiovese from Sant'Antimo, Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy.
SRP of $35. I purchased this bottle for $19.99 as part of a special deal but the low price is normally closer to $24 so we'll cover this one as a Saturday Splurge. 833 cases produced. Imported by Winebow.
From the bottle:
"In ancient times food was very scarce in the area surrounding San Polo. Often a meal consisted of only bread, but enchanted by the breathtaking view the perennially hungry local farmers in the valley where they coined the phrase, "This panorama is worth Mezzopane". Meaning the view was so beautiful it was worth half of a meal, or half of a loaf of bread. San Polo's vineyards are surrounded by a gentle valley protected by Mount Amiata that stretches to the Romanesque Abbey of SantAntimo.
We dedicate our Mezzopane, a wine made from 65% Merlot and 35% Sangiovese, to this unique place which evokes a sense of wonder and fulfillment in all those who visit.
13.7% Alcohol"
The Sant'Antimo DOC lies in the Montalcino region in Tuscany and covers a similar area as the iconic Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. In fact, today's wine comes from just outside the Brunello production zone. It is also notable in that it is a very similar blend to another favorite Italian wine from this region, the Luce Della Vite Lucente 2009 - A Silky Smooth Saturday Splurge, which can also often be found for right around $20. Let's see if the Mezzopane tastes as good as the Lucente!
The 2005 San Polo Mezzopane Sant'Antimo Toscana begins with a very nice nose of dark fruit and spice. A little more time in the glass reveals more complexity in the form of floral, dried herb and olive notes. The wine tastes lush, rich and delicious with a wonderful spicy character. It has a full mouthfeel with loads of rich and juicy dark fruit and very good acidity. The finish is dry and long with some nice savory dried herb and olive notes lingering at the end. We found the wine to be just as good on day two. This 2005 vintage is really drinking wonderfully right now, pair it with some rustic Italian food and watch your taste buds go wild.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
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