Monteverro 2011

Decanter: "The colour is deep ruby to the rim. This is a wholly complete wine with a balletic balance between the aromatic, flavour, and textural intensity of the wine, of which all factors are dialled up to 11. It has a delicious aromatic profile of currants, tobacco, and cassis, with high-definition tannins that are super pixelated, balanced by flesh plum and black cherry fruits, clove, white pepper, saline minerals, and earth through a grippy acid finish. The winery is in Capalbio, in the Tuscan Maremma, about a mile from the sea as the crow flies. The estate harbours 24.28 hectares of vines on eroded stony soils, much like the round river rocks of the Rhône Valley. The in-house winemaker is Matthieu Taunay, and Jean Hoefliger has served as a consultant since 2008, the first vintage. The winery is a state-of-the-art facility, allowing for stainless steel, concrete egg, and barrel fermentation. The blend for Monteverro always leads with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and in 2011, includes 5% Petit Verdot. The wines are native yeast fermented, half in barrel and half in stainless steel, and aged 24 months in roughly 70-80% new French oak. Sampled during a vertical tasting of 2008-2021 vintages in August 2024."