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Tuscany's Brightest Smile: Montevertine Rosso & Pian del Ciampolo

Tuscany's Brightest Smile: Montevertine Rosso & Pian del Ciampolo

Montevertine needs little introduction here, as I reveal these offers several times per year due to the release schedule from the winery. And also very much because of my deep adoration for each of the estate's wines.

Today, I'm happy to offer to the just-released 2015 Montevertine Rosso and 2016 Pian del Ciampolo, complete with rare large format options. The long list below also stretches back to 1978.

The younger Sangiovese vines that comprise Pian del Ciampolo and the Montevertine Rosso are supplemented with small portions of the traditional Colorino and Canaiolo. To me, they're the most inspiring examples of Chianti Classico and offer the best value for traditional wines in the region. Bottles of the Rosso have brought thrilling experiences with over 25 years of age - These are wines that speak to a very special place, and tug at the heartstrings like only the best wines of the world can do.

Sergio Manetti originally planted just 2 hectares at this vacation property in 1967. With the unexpected glowing reception of the his first vintage (1971) he began to focus on winemaking exclusively. Manetti believed in the greatness of 100% Sangiovese from this hillside and in 1981 due to the laws of Chianti Classico requiring the addition of Trebbiano to the blend he chose to leave the consortium. This move was rare at the time, hard to believe now as so many of the great wines of Chianti Classico are produced with 100% Sangiovese. (Even though the law was changed in 1995 to allow 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico many producers opt to maintain their "lower" IGT status).

The estate gained a loyal following at home and abroad, with Sergio's son Martino taking an active role with his father in 1989. In 2000 Martino took full control upon his father's passing. The 18 hectare estate sits at 425 meters in Radda, one of the cooler zones in Chianti Classico. The soil is heavily dominated by limestone and this combo endows the wine with a sense of transparency, vibrancy, and grace that stand out immediately. Tradition is the overwhelming theme here, with an eye always kept towards showing Sangiovese at its most delicate, nuanced, and soil-inflected.

At least 25 day fermentation in concrete with pumpovers two times per day. Wines are aged in large Slavonian botti with the exception of Le Pergole Torte, sourced from the estate's oldest vines and highest elevation plantings. Le Pergole Torte is aged in French barrique with a maximum of 15% new wood - The deft use of barrique is what impresses so much here. Le Pergole Torte is the model of purity and elegance, never giving any indication of oak or toasted notes.

* There's been much confusion about the derivation of the name Le Pergole Torte. When Sergio Manetti bought the property there was a neighbor named Bruno who had just 3 rows of vines planted. These vines were trained in the old pergola fashion and the wine produced was so mesmerizing that it was the impetus for Manetti to plant.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous had this to say about the 2015 Montevertine Rosso and 2016 Pian del Ciampolo, respectively, in January 2018.

"Rich, pliant and super-expressive, the 2015 Montevertine is shaping up to be a magnificent wine. There is a radiance to the 2015 that is impossible to miss. At the same time, it’s wonderfully polished, with more than enough freshness and overall structure to support many years of exceptional drinking. Red stone fruit and expressive floral notes give the wine much of its distinctive personality. The 2015 Montevertine is a real head-turner."

"The 2016 Pian del Ciampolo exudes class and a level of delineation that distinguishes it stylistically (but not qualitatively) from the 2015. Fresh and beautifully nuanced, the 2016 hits all the right notes. A closing burst of lavender, rose petal and mint punctuates the vibrant finish."
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