Podere Casanova: A Journey of Revival in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Podere Casanova is more than just a winery; it’s a story of revitalization rooted in a deep respect for nature and a love for the land. Located near Montepulciano in Tuscany, this vineyard has become a symbol of how heritage and sustainability can work hand in hand. When Isidoro Rebatto and his wife Susanna took over in 2016, they embarked on a journey to revive an existing vineyard with a long-standing local legacy. Their commitment goes beyond winemaking; they focus on environmental sustainability, evident in their adherence to the Equalitas standard, a certification that ensures responsible practices across production.
Podere Casanova’s vineyard spans 16 hectares, nestled among rolling hills and not far from the lakes of Montepulciano and Trasimeno. These lakes help shape the microclimate, creating ideal conditions for grape varieties like Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The soil diversity, with blends of sand, clay, and gravel, plays a crucial role in producing premium cru wines. This terroir, combined with a unique climate, allows the grapes to develop rich polyphenols and anthocyanins, key components that define the wines’ complex flavors and aromas.
All harvesting is done by hand, ensuring that only the best grapes make it to the fermentation tanks. The meticulous sorting process, done manually and with the aid of machines, reflects Podere Casanova’s commitment to quality. This attention to detail is evident in their range of wines. From the classic Nobile di Montepulciano, which showcases the character of the Sangiovese grape, to the IGT Irripetibile and Leggenda, a bold blend that includes Petit Verdot and Syrah, each wine tells a story of dedication and craftsmanship.
As members of the Vignaioli di Montepulciano association, Podere Casanova shares in the mission to uphold the quality and tradition of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This association works not only to strengthen the brand but also to ensure that sustainable practices are integrated into every aspect of winemaking in the region.
At Podere Casanova, Rebatto and Susanna have crafted a winery that bridges the Veneto, their place of origin, and Tuscany, their chosen home. The result is a vineyard that celebrates both regions through wine, emphasizing the deep cultural, artistic, and gastronomic connections that have defined Italian history. Here, each bottle is more than wine; it’s a nod to a legacy of sustainability, respect for the land, and a profound love for the beauty of Tuscany.
Vertical Wine Tasting at the Wine Art Shop
At the Wine Art Shop of Podere Casanova in Montepulciano, I experienced a vertical tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, sampling six vintages from 2015 to 2020, along with the Riserva and two exclusive crus, guided by the owner, Isidoro Rebatto. Set in the vibrant heart of Montepulciano, this unique space blends winemaking tradition with contemporary art. Each vintage, from the bold 2015 to the refined 2020, unfolded its distinct character as Isidoro shared insights into how the variations in climate and craftsmanship influenced each year. The shop’s art exhibitions added a dynamic backdrop, enhancing the tasting experience and creating a fascinating dialogue between past and present, making it a memorable journey.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vintages 2015 to 2020
The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, crafted from Sangiovese grapes that are hand-harvested and carefully selected, begins its winemaking process with fermentation in truncated cone-shaped stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures for around 20-25 days. After gentle pressing and must selection, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before aging for 18 months in a mix of barriques, tonneaux, and 1000-liter French oak barrels, followed by 12 months in the bottle. Grown in the Argiano area of Montepulciano, the vineyard sits at an altitude of 252-271 meters on Pleistocene-era soils composed of brownish-yellow sands and sandy clay. This wine, with an aging potential of 15-20 years, reflects the unique terroir and meticulous craftsmanship, delivering a structured and complex tasting experience.
The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano vintages from 2015 to 2020 each bring distinct characteristics and evolving complexity. The 2015 vintage offers a vibrant ruby red color with floral, red, and black fruit aromas and a touch of sapidity, balanced by hints of chocolate and coffee, creating a well-rounded and approachable profile. In 2016, the wine takes on greater complexity, with layers of dark and red fruits complemented by a soft, rounded mouthfeel and subtle chocolate notes, resulting in a lingering, persistent finish.
The 2017 vintage, despite a challenging year, introduces an intriguing complexity with seaweed nuances and concentrated black fruits on the nose. It remains fresh on the palate, highlighted by balanced acidity and a pleasing intensity. The 2018 vintage continues with dark fruit aromas and hints of dry stone, offering a round, soft mouthfeel with emerging notes of tea leaves, providing a succulent and expressive experience.
In 2019, the wine presents a compelling combination of dark fruits and seaweed on the nose, with tea leaf notes and a delicate bitterness on the finish, balanced by a touch of thin chocolate for a refined tasting experience. Finally, the 2020 vintage introduces a sweeter, fruit-forward profile accented with eucalyptus. The tannins are slightly rough yet balanced by good acidity, with a long finish that hints at promising aging potential. Together, these vintages illustrate the evolution of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, each with unique elements that reflect both the terroir and the vintage conditions.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2017
Crafted from 100% hand-harvested Sangiovese grapes, this wine undergoes fermentation in truncated cone-shaped stainless steel tanks for 20-25 days, followed by malolactic fermentation. It is then aged for 30 months in a mix of barriques, tonneaux, and 1000-liter French oak barrels, with an additional 12 months in the bottle. The result is a deep garnet wine with intense aromas of blackberry jam, plum, and spiced cherry, complemented by cardamom, cloves, and roasted coffee. On the palate, it is warm and balanced, with smooth tannins, bright acidity, and a slightly salty finish. The persistent finish offers hints of orange and black pepper, combining power and elegance.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Settecento 2018
The wine begins with hand-harvested grapes from the “Il Bosco” vineyard, fermented in conical stainless steel tanks at 26-28°C for 30 days, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine then ages for 24 months in barriques, tonneaux, and 1000-liter French oak barrels, with an additional 12 months in bottle. This exclusive cru, produced only in exceptional years, reveals a medium garnet hue and a nose of seaweed, violet, cherry jam, and wild berries, enriched by spices, tobacco, and balsamic notes. Bold and well-structured, it balances acidity with a savory finish, leaving lingering hints of candied orange, licorice, and menthol for a powerful yet refined profile.
Irrepetibile IGT Toscana 2018 Super Tuscan
The vinification of this Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon blend begins with hand-harvesting and meticulous selection. After fermentation in barriques and tonneaux for 15-20 days, the wine undergoes a 10-day maceration on the skins, followed by malolactic fermentation and 8-10 months of aging in new barriques, plus 24 months in bottle. Grown in Montepulciano’s Argiano area at 252-271 meters, on sandy-clay Pleistocene soils, it offers a 20-year aging potential. Deep ruby in color, the wine’s nose is rich with berry jelly, black mulberry, and myrtle, complemented by licorice, black pepper, and bay leaf. The palate is elegant yet bold, with tea leaf nuances, smooth tannins, and a lingering finish of licorice and balsamic notes, balancing power and finesse.
Leggenda IGT Toscana 2018 Super Tuscan
This Montepulciano blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon is hand-harvested, then ferments in barriques and tonneaux for 15-20 days, followed by a 10-day maceration on the skins. It ages in new barriques for 18 months, with an additional 24 months in bottle to develop complexity. Grown in Argiano at 252-271 meters on Pleistocene-era sandy-clay soils, it has a 25-year aging potential. In the glass, it reveals a deep ruby color with garnet hints and a nose of black cherry, blackcurrant, and spices like black pepper and Sichuan pepper. The palate is bold and full-bodied, with acidity, subtle salinity, and a long finish of licorice, dark chocolate, and a hint of bitterness, delivering a refined, complex profile.
Podere Casanova
Address: via Strada Provinciale 326 n. 196 - loc. Tre Berte, 53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy
Tel: +39 331 3316032
Website: https://www.poderecasanovavini.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodereCasanovaMontepulciano/
