2011 Montesecondo “TIN” IGT Rosso, Tuscany, Italy.
Having been influenced by Alto Adige’s Foradori, Montesecondo has made a 100% Sangiovese aged in amphora with amazing results, this cuvee from Chianti Classico grown grapes is a stunning wine of distinction and seductive charm. Raising wine in ceramic vessels is an ancient art and craft, and it is coming back in fashion, not just in the making of geeky or orange style wines, in fact Bordeaux has some top Chateaux that are using amphora, including the famed Chateau Pontet-Canet, they even make the vats from the clay rich soils of their Pauillac estate. To me it seems, amphora gives the texture and expansion that wood does without inputting the footprint on the wine, but there are many stylistic reasons as well, it allows for the fruit to show more intensity and terroir purity maybe, but also the skins and lees give added savory details. Regardless of how this wine was made and aged, it is a lovely and glorious Tuscan red with heightened expression and dynamic flavors, the Montesecondo TIN shows dried flowers, sweet herbs and wild strawberries on the nose with mineral notes throughout and a rich palate of medium weight with black cherry, boysenberry and plum fruit, soy/balsamic notes, sweet lavender, spiced tobacco, pepper and framboise elements as well. This beauty is transparent and graceful with a subtle build up of density with air, the balance is suburb and the finish goes on and on. This refined and complex Sangiovese is something rare and special, drink from 2014-2024.
($54 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
