2018 Tenuta Monteti - Toscana Rosso IGT Monteti (750ml)

The 2018 Monteti steps outside traditional Tuscan norms by foregrounding Petit Verdot, producing a powerfully structured Italian red anchored in the breezy lower Maremma hills near Capalbio. Tenuta Monteti farms thirty hectares of these south-facing slopes using precision viticulture, allowing the vines to benefit from moderated sea winds that slow ripening and concentrate skin thickness for deeper color. The harvest blends predominantly Petit Verdot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, then moves into 18-month maturation in largely new French oak barriques. An additional two years of bottle rest prior to release ensures the primary tannins fully polymerize and the oak influence integrates cleanly with the fruit core.

Tasting Profile: Dressed in a dense ruby-garnet shade. The aroma palette opens with dark plum, wild raspberry, and damp stone, layered with fresh mint, sliced juniper, and sun-baked thyme. On the palate, the wine shows medium-to-full weight supported by firm, velvety tannins that cradle a plush center. Flavors of cedar smoke, black olive tapenade, and cracked peppercorn persist through a long, drying finish that rewards patience.

Suggested Foods: The wine’s muscular build and earthy spice profile require equally substantial accompaniments. Serve alongside hardwood-grilled ribeye steak, slow-braised lamb shanks, roasted wild boar ragù, or a cheese platter highlighting aged pecorino di fossa, Parmigiano Reggiano block, and marcona almonds.