2017 Montevertine
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Tasting notes
The 2017 Montevertine is rich, creamy and beautifully resonant on the palate. Over the last year it seems to have gained an extra bit of freshness, which is of course such a plus in this very hot, dry vintage. Montevertine is often austere, but the 2017 is unusually open today, not to mention incredibly delicious. There is plenty of tannin beneath all of that vintage 2017 fruit. Even so, opening a bottle young is not a crime by any stretch of the imagination. Black cherry, leather, sweet pipe tobacco, licorice and earthy notes develop with aeration, showing just a glimpse of what is in store for those who can wait. The 2017 is a striking wine in every sense. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding further dimensions that will continue to unfold over the coming years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The namesake Montevertine 2017 Montevertine pours from the bottle with a slightly darker hue compared to its predecessors. The phenolic imprint of Sangioveto (with smaller parts Canaiolo and Colorino) is always stronger in the hot and dry vintages like 2017. That more structured and saturated personality is duly followed by generous and intense aromas of black cherry, wild plum, lavender essence and gardening soil. The wine speaks fluently in an authentic Tuscan accent, underling the extreme purity that can be achieved with these indigenous grapes and likewise reminding you of the sheer generosity and freshness that is so specific to Radda in Chianti. There is some dusty dryness on the finish, and this remains an impressive wine from a challenging vintage.
Shockingly dense and dark, the 2017 Montevertine possesses off the charts textural richness and unctuosity. A freak of nature in a vintage with tiny yields, the 2017 saturates the palate with intense, plush fruit, silky tannins and mind-blowing concentration. Raspberry jam, white flowers, lavender and spice are some of the notes that build into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures. The 2017 is shaping up to be an epic Montevertine and a huge overachiever. Interestingly, today the Montevertine shows sweeter tannins and a touch less alcohol than the Pergole Torte. I can't wait to taste it from bottle.
The 2017 Montevertine is soft, succulent and inviting, with terrific fruit presence and a bit more textural lushness than is the norm. It will be interesting to see where the 2017 goes in the next few years. The purity of the flavors and the wine's textural finesse are both hugely promising for the future.
About the producer
The legendary Montervertine estate was created by the Manetti family in 1967 and is best known for its iconic pure Sangiovese, Le Pergole Torte. Based in Chianti but with the wines labelled as IGT Toscana, these elegant wines are rightfully some of Tuscany and Italy’s most sought-after.