Profile

Structure

Bodyfull
Acidityhigh
Sweetnesssweet
Finishlong
Oakoak aged

Drinking window

Latest scored vintage 2008: best 2018 to 2038.

vintage10 yrs30 yrs32 yrs

Critic scores

CriticVintageScore
Vinous reviewed 2017200896/100

Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.

In the glass

Full-bodiedHigh aciditySweetLong finish

Aroma: dried fig, tamarind, walnut, candied orange peel

Palate: dried cherry, honey, burnt caramel, rancio

Cult Vin Santo from raisined Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), 10+ years oxidative ageing in small caratelli barrels.

What it pairs with

With cheese

Pecorino di Pienza Our pick An aged Pienza with its good saltiness against a Vin Santo of caramel and dried fruit: salt and sugar set each other off, and the wine's high acidity keeps the sweetness from cloying. Pecorino Toscano Our pick An aged Pecorino Toscano is firm, fragrant and pronounced in flavour, beside Vin Santo's dried fruit and caramel. The wine is much sweeter than the cheese, which the DOP product sheet calls sweet, never salty.

How to serve Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 12-14°C. Cellar temperature (12-14°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a small dessert-wine glass (3-5oz pour): the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Aged hard cheese with dried fig, Cantucci di Prato, Dark chocolate with sea salt. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Avignonesi's Occhio di Pernice is a Vin Santo made from Prugnolo Gentile (rather than the usual Trebbiano-Malvasia base), raisined and aged 10+ years in caratelli. First labelled vintage 1979 and considered the genre's benchmark.

  1. 1979First labelled Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice

Facts

Producer
Avignonesi · visiting guide
Grapes
Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) (100%)
Classification
Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Occhio di Pernice
Oak
10+ years in small chestnut and oak caratelli
ABV
15.5%
Price
EUR 250 to 500 per 375ml at retail
Drinking window
10 to 30 from vintage
First vintage
1979

Frequently asked about Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo

What does Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo taste like?

On the nose, dried fig, tamarind, walnut, candied orange peel. On the palate, dried cherry, honey, burnt caramel, rancio. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. Cult Vin Santo from raisined Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), 10+ years oxidative ageing in small caratelli barrels.

When should I drink Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo?

Drink 10 to 30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo?

Aged hard cheese with dried fig is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Cantucci di Prato and Dark chocolate with sea salt. Sweet-savoury contrast with the wine's rancio.

What grapes are in Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo?

The blend is Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) (100%). The wine is classified as Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Occhio di Pernice.

Tags

cellar worthy cult wine dessert passito full body high acid iconic library release mood contemplative mood elegant occasion celebration occasion cellar occasion gift occasion special old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with chocolate pairs with digestif pairs with fruit desserts price luxury sangiovese prugnolo gentile sweet

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