2012MontevertineCiampolo2012 Montevertine, Pian del Ciampolo, Toscana Rosso IGT, Radda in Chianti, Italy.
Montevertine’s organic estate in the heart of Chianti Classico is home to some of the finest wines in Tuscany, these natural wines, crafted of only local varietals made in an elegant fashion. The Montevertine wines are not oaky, extracted or do they have dollops of Merlot or Cabernet added to them, these are traditional and soulful wines, but don’t get me wrong there are lovely Merlot and Cabernet wines in Tuscany, wines that rival the world, no question, it is just that Montevertine follows their own path and I admire the wines of the late Sergio Manetti and now Martino Manetti very much, and his Le Pergole Torte is one of the greatest Sangiovese wines in the world, just don’t expect Manetti’s wine to be labeled Chianti Classico anytime soon, the Manetti’s believe that Sangovese doesn’t need international varietals added and withdrew from the Chianti brand, so no black roosters on the label. The last Montevertine Chianti Classico was made in 1981, after that they have only produced wines labeled Table wines or IGT with Le Pergole Torte being the first single vineyard 100% Sangiovese Super Tuscan, and the Pian del Ciampolo is the little brother to Le Pergole Torte with a cuvee of Sangoveto (Chianti Classico’s old clone Sangiovese) plus Canaiolo and Colorino (Two minor Chianti grapes now making a comeback in the region) with all the fruit coming from the estate’s beautiful vines in Radda in Chianti. The 2012 Montevertine Pian del Ciampolo is glorious from start to finish, earthy, Burgundy like in fresh brightness and graceful on the palate with beautiful detail and wonderful delicacy. The bouquet is pure Tuscany with porcini, red fruits, herbs, iron/blood and wilted roses leading to a refined and vivid mouthful of spiced plum, raspberry, cherry and strawberry fruits, truffle, minty herbs, licorice, tobbacco/cigar wrapper and cedary spice. This is pure and perfectly weighted wine, no added adornments or flashy sweet oak, just a character filled expression of place and expertly crafted, bravo to the team at Montevertine for this beauty, it had me dreaming of the majestic Tuscan hills and the lengthy finish is just as magical, drink from 2014 to 2019.
($40 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive

 

avail at www.sfwtc.com ($36.95)

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