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

Tenuta Monteti was founded in 1998 by Gemma Bracco and Paolo Baratta, who spent years searching before settling on a small valley in the lower Maremma near Capalbio. From the beginning they worked with consulting winemaker Carlo Ferrini, choosing to plant international varieties rather than the region's traditional Sangiovese. The estate is now run by their daughter, Eva Baratta, and her husband, Javier Pedrazzini, who continue to farm the property's 30 hectares of vineyard with an emphasis on precision and sustainability.

The vineyards sit on a small hill that shields them from the strong Mediterranean winds coming off the coast just a few kilometers away, softening them into a gentle breeze that benefits the vines. Monteti, the estate's flagship wine, is built mainly from Petit Verdot, blended with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. After fermentation, the wine ages for 18 months in French oak barriques, a large share of them new, and then rests in bottle for roughly two years before release.

The 2018 Monteti opens with wild berries, menthol, and juniper spice, layered with notes of Mediterranean scrub. The palate is structured and fleshy, with polished tannins framing fresh red fruit through a long, herbal finish. It works well alongside grilled beef, roasted venison, or a plate of aged pecorino.