Montepeloso

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Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Suvereto, Tuscany
People: Fabio Chiarelotto, Owner & Winemaker | Fabrizio Moltard, Consultant Winemaker
Viticulture: Practicing Organic

Items

Montepeloso 2020 'Gabbro' Cabernet Sauvignon, Toscana IGT Login AG 94 WA 94 In Stock
Montepeloso 2021 'A Quo' Red Blend, Toscana IGT Login WA 92 AG 92 In Stock
Montepeloso 2020 'Eneo' Costa Toscana IGT Login WA 93 AG 93 In Stock
Montepeloso 2021 'Eneo' Costa Toscana IGT Login AG 95 In Stock
Montepeloso 2020 'Nardo' Costa Toscana IGT Login AG 92+ WA 93 <1 Case
Montepeloso 2021 'Nardo' Costa Toscana IGT Login AG 97 In Stock

Tucked away off the Tuscan coast in the chalky gravel and clay hills of Suvereto lies the 30-hectare Montepeloso estate.

Under the guidance of the original owners, Willi and Doris Neukom, Montepeloso established itself as one of Tuscany’s most exciting estates. Swiss-born Fabio Chiarelotto bought the estate in 1998. He was entranced with the Neukom’s wines but was also convinced that they fell short of the terroir’s true potential.

Climatically warmer than interior Tuscany, Suvereto naturally limits yields and is capable of producing wines with great concentration and perfume. Chiarelotto admits about his wine that it’s "easy produce concentrated wines in such a hot climate…but it’s much harder to achieve elegance and finesse."

While a unique site is important for great wine, an inspired winemaker is also required. The introspective Chiarelotto had little interest in the guidance of fashionable enologists. He was determined to follow his own path. He brought with him a clear vision of the singular wines he felt the estate could yield. His obsession is such that there are few others with which to compare.

Chiarelotto overhauled the vineyards within a year of purchase: retraining and regrafting thousands of vines. He accepted drastically reduced production over the first few years in order to achieve great wines. In the cellar, Chiarelotto sought ways to soften the tannins, refine the aromatics, and better integrate the oak. With each succeeding vintage, he gets closer to his ideal.

A Montepeloso buzz has spread over Europe and has leapt across Atlantic. Collectors view Montepeloso as the most beautiful, profound and expressive of the Tuscan "new wave." Production will increase as young vines reach maturity. Unfortunately for now, these wines remain among Italy's elite rarities.

Reviews

  • Montepeloso 2021 'A Quo' Red Blend, Toscana IGT
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 92 (6/22/2023)

    Made with mostly Sangiovese and smaller percentages of Malvasia Nera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano, Marselan and Alicante Bouschet, the 2021 A Quo offers intense fragrances that span from blackberry to dark rose—like one of those deep purple blooms you might see at a specialized florist. It is densely textured with a solid structure. A Quo is a wine of exceptional value.

  • Montepeloso 2020 'Eneo' Costa Toscana IGT
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93 (6/22/2023)
    This is a blend of 65% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malvasia Nera from a warm vintage. The 2020 Eneo doesn't have the same pulp and mass that we see in the 2019 vintage; however, it does show lots of richness and intensity, especially in terms of bouquet. Perhaps the aromas are more focused and sharp in this wine, and there is a pretty mineral note that cuts a through line connecting the bouquet to the medium to full-bodied mouthfeel.
  • Montepeloso 2021 'A Quo' Red Blend, Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 92 (8/1/2023)

    The 2021 A Quo is a fabulous introduction to these wines. Bright, punchy and vibrant, the 2021 offers up an exciting mix of red fruit, blood orange, rose petal, mint and cinnamon. Montepeloso's entry-level estate offering is a winner.

  • Montepeloso 2020 'Eneo' Costa Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 93 (8/1/2023)

    The 2020 Eneo is bright and effusive, with notable aromatic presence but perhaps a bit less textural intensity than most years. That will make it easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Red cherry fruit, blood orange, mint, cinnamon and a hint of cedar linger.

  • Montepeloso 2020 'Nardo' Costa Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 92+ (8/1/2023)
    The 2020 Nardo is a wild, powerful wine. Dark red fruit, menthol, licorice, spice, game, grilled herbs, earthiness and tobacco add to an impression of rusticity.
  • Montepeloso 2020 'Gabbro' Cabernet Sauvignon, Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 94 (8/1/2023)
    The 2020 Gabbro is gorgeous. Montepeloso's bold Cabernet Sauvignon delivers tons of varietal character and savory intensity with less opulence than in most years. Dark fruit leather, licorice, smoke, tobacco and incense build into the somber finish.
  • Montepeloso 2020 'Nardo' Costa Toscana IGT
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 93 (6/22/2023)
    The 2020 Nardo is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Malvasia Nera and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon (with 4,200 bottles released). This wine has an inky core of black fruit with grilled rosemary or curry leaf at the back. You get elegant mineral tones that recall pencil shaving or even a hint of rusty iron. The palate is dry and quite firm with both fruit and oak tannins.
  • Montepeloso 2020 'Gabbro' Cabernet Sauvignon, Toscana IGT
    The Wine Advocate
    Rating: 94 (6/22/2023)
    The 2020 Gabbro (made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon) is ripe, rich and supple. This wine pushes the boundaries in all directions (including a powerful 15% alcohol content). There is a hint of dried herb or rosemary essence behind black fruit and baked plum, but the wine's texture is what ultimately sets this hot vintage apart.
  • Montepeloso 2021 'Eneo' Costa Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 95 (8/1/2023)
    The 2021 Eneo is superb. Bright and effusive, with tons of explosive energy, the 2021 is shaping up to be a gem. Crushed flowers, blood orange, cinnamon, cedar and spice are all finely delineated in an Eneo that exudes balance. Clean mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly. I very much admire the vibrancy here, something that is hard to achieve in this district of Suvereto.
  • Montepeloso 2021 'Gabbro' Cabernet Sauvignon, Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 97 (8/1/2023)
    The 2021 Gabbro is another hugely promising 2021 from Fabio Chiarelotto. Deep, sensual and layered, the 2021 offers up a heady mix of dark fruit intermingled with scents of tobacco, scorched earth, leather, incense and menthol. Potent and yet quite elegant, the 2021 has a ton going on. It's another super elegant wine from Montepeloso. Superb.
  • Montepeloso 2021 'Nardo' Costa Toscana IGT
    Vinous
    Rating: 97 (8/1/2023)
    The 2021 Nardo is elegant, finessed and classy to the core. White pepper, chalk, mint, blood orange, dried flowers and cedar give the 2021 striking aromatic presence and energy. I don't remember a Nardo with much translucent energy. Readers will want to cellar this for at least a few years.