Montepeloso 2020 'Gabbro' Cabernet Sauvignon, Toscana IGT

Tucked away in the hills of Suvereto near Bolgheri on the Tuscan Coast is the 15-acre Montepeloso estate. Fabio Chiarelotto purchased the estate of Montepeloso in 1998, after years working in academia as an historian. While the estate had achieved renown under the former owners, Chiarelotto believed it held the potential to take quality even higher. Looking to the future, Chiarelotto decided to drastically restructure (i.e., cut back) the vines in early 1999. As the estate emerged from those changes, his healthier vineyards and growing understanding of the wines has positioned this estate to achieve even greater levels of quality. Chiarelotto’s focus is to shape coastal Tuscan wine with local varieties.

Technical Information:  Vineyards lie at an elevation between 50-100 meters. The original Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvingon vines were planted between 1973-1980 at 4,000/hA. New plantings since 1999 are up to 8,500/hA. No filtration is used.

Winemaking Notes:  This is THE great Cabernet Sauvignon of Suvereto. A decade from now, we would not be surprised to see Gabbro replace Sassacaia as the ultimate Tuscan Cabernet. The wine is 100% Cabernet from older vines, some of which are 40+ years old. Fermentation occurs in 1,500-liter steel tanks. The wine is aged in a mix of barrique and tonneaux (70% new) for 18 months.