2013 Monteprloso, A Quo, Toscana Rosso, Italy.
Fabio Chiarelotto’s Montepeloso, located on the Tuscan Coast near the famed Tua Rita, has become one of the most interesting and enchanting wineries in the region with biodynamic and terroir driven wines. This area has reached critical mass with an amazing selection of wines and winemakers, it all started with Sassicaia and then Ornellaia, but with Tua Rita, Le Macchiole, Aia Vecchia and others this is one of the most prestige areas in Italy, and Montepeloso is right up there with the best. Having met Fabio a few years back, you could see the intensity of his vision and his passion for wine and crafting the best possible expression of place, and his wines certainly have their own style and charm, especially in his base entry level wine the A Quo, which delivers rich detail and texture with delicacy, earthiness and unique character. The A Quo is a blend of Montepulciano and Cabernet Sauvignon mostly along with small amounts of Sangiovese, Marselan (A cross between Grenache & Cabernet Sauvignon) and Alicante Bouschet. The A Quo 2013 is a wonderful and refined red with blueberry, briar spiciness and subtle earthy tones showing plum, wild raspberry, mulberry and currant fruits as well as hints of leather, tobacco leaf, mild cedar, a mix of baking spices and anise. The grapes are expressive and the impact on the palate impressive with good ripe tannin, polished acidity and good length, grown on ancient clay and silex soils the wine, aged 4 months in used French oak, shows the warm of the region along with the Maremma coastal influence that gives the wines it’s terroir and quality. The Wines from Grosseto to Bolgheri on the Tyrrhenian Sea are some of the world’s best, they mix ancient Etruscan grapes with classic French varietals as well as others to create unique and iconic labels, with Montepeloso joining that elite set. Drink this warm vintage 2013 A Quo IGT Tocana Rosso over the next 3 to 5 years, and also look out for Chiarelotto’s top wines like his Gabbro and Nardo, these are incredible wines.
($25 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive
