MONTEVERTINE, Radda in Chianti
Pure, peerless Sangiovese
“Sometimes I fall in love with a producer from the moment I first taste his wine. But really, if you can sense a purity, a commitment, and of course deliciousness and complexity, why hold back? I had this experience with Montevertine, a Tuscan producer that year after year demonstrates a profound respect and understanding for the sangiovese grape. If you’ve never understood what sangiovese was all about, try one of these wines and I think you may fall in love yourself.” –Eric Asimov, NYTimes

“Readers looking for delicate, perfumed Sangiovese and Sangiovese-based wines need look no further than Montevertine. The estate is located in Radda, one of the cooler, fresher micro-climates in Tuscany. The wines have always required bottle age to develop, yet these are wines that showcase an aromatic side of Sangiovese that shares much in common with Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo, rather than the more overt fruit-driven wines that are made elsewhere.” — Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Sergio Manetti of Montevertine is legendary, as is his rebellion against the Chianti consortium’s attempts to cater to market forces, putting the very identity of Chianti and Sangiovese at risk. Since Sergio’s passing, his son has carried on the torch of the Montevertine tradition; these spectacular, pure, peerless wines of Chianti will never bear that designation.

2004 MONTEVERTINE “Le Pergole Torte” Toscana IGT $110.00 Three Glasses winner; 94 pts.
Single-vineyard Sangiovese. “The 2004 Le Pergole Torte (100% Sangioveto) is a special wine. Beautiful dark cherry, spice, mineral and menthol nuances emerge from its layered, beautiful frame. It shows outstanding depth buttressed by finessed, silky tannins in a classic, medium-bodied style. Today the wine remains very primary. The full breadth of its expression will come only with extended cellaring. Readers seeking instant gratification or who want to be blown away by sheer concentration will likely find more pleasure in other wines from this great vintage. Those who are willing to invest the time to appreciate this wine’s elegance, finesse and textural beauty will be amply rewarded with a superb bottle of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. 94 pts.

SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA, Greve, Chianti Classico
Reviving the tradition of “la verita”
Ludovica Fabbri, owner and winemaker at SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA just visited our shop and we were delighted to taste through her youthful, yet elegant Chiantis. When Ludovica took over the family’s estate in Chianti, she experimented with different winemaking techniques, barriques, etc. Over several vintages, she had a better understanding of the quality and characteristics of her 7 ha of vineyards, and realized that “less is more.” By taking excellent care of the vines, she says, the wine will take care of itself. The result? A signature style of elegance and finesse, and “la verita” (the truth).

“I’m something of a purist. I like to hear the voice of the earth. It’s (Savignola Paolina) exquisitely perfumey, and the flavor impact is enormous. With its signature dustiness and dry cherry and berry flavors, this wine was designed to go with food. If Mozart made Chianti, it’d be Paolina.“ –Matt Kramer, Wine Spectator

2005 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico $17.99
Dark cherry fruit, barrel influenced aromas and flavors, graphite and toasty notes. “A medium-bodied red, with well-defined black currant bush, rosemary, lavender and mineral character. Finely textured, with a good layer of fruit and mineral and a well-balanced finish. Very silky. Drink now.”–WS

2004 SAVIGNOLA PAOLINA Chianti Classico Riserva $35 Tremendous richness of fruit, elegant with a perfect integration of oak. “Very concentrated, showing lots of ripe fruit on the nose and palate, with just a hint of vanilla. Full and chewy. There’s lots going on. Best after 2008. 300 cases made.” –WS

Sergio Manetti, the late founder of MONTEVERTINE, located just outside of Radda in the heart of Chianti Classico, was Tuscany’s signature grape. Manetti strongly felt that this noble grape should stand on its own. He took issue with “super-tuscan” wines that propped up the elegant, graceful sangiovese with copious amounts of cabernet and merlot. Manetti pursued a lonely course in his beliefs and left the Chianti Classico consortium in the early 1980’s. His son Martino proudly carries on the family traditions.

2003 MONTEVERTINE di MONTEVERTINE $45 A wine of great concentration and powerful structure from a traditional Chianti blend of 90% sangiovese, 10% canaiolo and colorino. The Montevertine 2003 has formidable tannins and firm structure. At the same time, it offers an ethereal bouquet of crushed red cherries Continue Reading »