1996 Talosa Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo Di Montepulciano DOC 375ml

Vin Santo is a deep, enchanting sweet wine, produced by the traditional appassimento method, allowing the grapes to hang dry before fermentation to concentrate their sugars and flavors.

But this is where things get particularly interesting: this is an Occhio di Pernice, the rare, darker-hued style of Vin Santo from Montepulciano, traditionally made with Sangiovese rather than the white grapes used for classic Vin Santo. The name translates to “Eye of the Partridge,” referring to its distinctive amber-pink color.

Wine Spectator described the taste of this “holy wine” as “An elegant dessert wine with moderately high acidity, its vivid honey and brown sugar aromas turn to nut and caramel in the mouth.”

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is the first Italian DOC. This place, -also referred to as “The King of All Wines”- was known to be the favorite of some of the most influential Popes, Kings, and Presidents of Italy. Montepulciano in Tuscany holds some of the world’s greatest hidden treasures. One of them is Fattoria Della Talosa.

Talosa’s story started over 50 years ago when Angelo Jacorossi acquired this beautiful historical estate, (and when I say beautiful, I really mean be-a-u-ti-ful.) The Jacorossi family started pushing very strongly to produce extremely high-quality wines, so much so that this estate became a watershed in the quality of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Today, this award-winning winery is being managed by the 3rd generation of the Jacorossi family.

This property comprises more than 80 acres of vineyards, established in one of the loveliest Crus in Montepulciano called Pietrose. This outstanding place is located at a 350–400-meter altitude, with the vineyards facing southwest. The vines thrive in medium-textured soils of Pliocene origin, with Tuff and clayey sands. These perfect terroir conditions, combined with the expert hands of winemakers Christian and Luigi, result in alluring, unique, and powerful wines.

The estate is ridiculously beautiful, a place that seems to be the set of a medieval time movie. Talosa’s historical cellar dates back to the 16th century. Visiting this place is like stepping back in time. The cellar is built in an underground area between Tarugi Palace and the Sinatti Palace, two of the oldest buildings in the city.