2022 Montevertine - Toscana Rosso IGT Le Pergole Torte (750ml)

Montevertine sits in the heart of Chianti, three kilometers south of Radda, on a site inhabited since the eleventh century whose ruins still bear traces of an old defensive structure. Sergio Manetti bought the property in 1967 as a vacation home, planted two hectares of vines, and built a small cellar to make wine for family and friends. When his first vintage impressed judges at Vinitaly, he abandoned his career in steel manufacturing to devote himself entirely to wine. In 1981 Manetti left the Chianti Classico consortium rather than blend in white grapes as the rules then required, a decision that placed Montevertine outside the official appellation despite its deep roots in the region. His son Martino now leads the estate.

Le Pergole Torte comes from the oldest vines on the property, planted in 1968, and is made almost entirely from Sangiovese with only a touch of Colorino and Canaiolo. Grapes undergo rigorous selection in the vineyard before fermenting in cement tanks, then age for twelve months in Slavonian oak casks followed by another twelve months in barrique, finishing with six months resting in bottle. It is one of the wines credited with proving Sangiovese's potential outside the traditional Chianti blend decades before the term Super Tuscan existed.

The glass shows a deep, luminous ruby red, opening to sour cherry, raspberry, and violet layered with cocoa, coffee, and graphite. The palate is rich and vibrant, balancing energy with elegance, framed by youthful yet already majestic tannins on a long finish. Pour it with braised beef, roasted duck, or aged Tuscan pecorino.