Montevertine Toscana 2023 is the historic red of Montevertine, a small family estate at 425 metres in Radda in Chianti, made mostly from Sangiovese with a little Canaiolo and Colorino. It shows cedar, spice and pipe tobacco. Monica Larner rated it 95 POINTS in The Wine Advocate. A lovely wine for anyone who enjoys elegant, traditional Sangiovese.
In the glass it shows supple fruit and soft tannins in a mid-weight frame, so it drinks well from release. This is a wine for those of us who like Tuscan reds with grace and freshness, and a great match for a platter of salumi.
The hamlet of Montevertine has been lived in since the 11th century, when it was built as a defensive stronghold.
What it tastes like
The wine has a polished, finely tuned style built on Sangiovese's bright fruit. Antonio Galloni of Vinous described the 2023 as "elegant, polished and supremely beautiful", and found it approachable straight away. He added that ageing in large casks gives Montevertine a slightly more classic feel that is hugely appealing. It's a beautiful glass of Tuscany.
Style at a glance
- Body: Medium
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Fresh
- Tannin: Soft and supple
- Oak: Large Slavonian oak casks, which add a faint hint of cedar without masking the fruit
- Style: Elegant, traditional Radda Sangiovese
Food to enjoy this with
- Bistecca or lamb chops from the grill
- Pappardelle with a slow-cooked duck or hare ragù
- Peposo, the Tuscan peppery beef stew
- Roast chicken with rosemary and potatoes
- Pecorino Toscano
- Cacciucco, the Livorno fish stew: an unexpected match, but one Montevertine itself recommends, as the soft tannins sit happily with tomato-rich seafood
Who makes it
Sergio Manetti, a steel industrialist, bought Montevertine in 1967 as a holiday home. He restored the house, planted 2 hectares of vines and set up a small cellar to make wine for friends and clients. The first vintage was 1971, and he sent a few bottles to Vinitaly in Verona through the Siena Chamber of Commerce.
The estate sits at 425 metres in Radda in Chianti and now has about 18 hectares of vines across nine vineyards. Montevertine has only ever planted the traditional Chianti varieties: Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino. The vineyards have been farmed organically since 2009, with grass between the rows, the estate's own compost, and only copper and sulphur to protect the vines.
The wine was sold as Chianti Classico Montevertine from 1971 to 1981. Sergio refused to add Trebbiano, a white grape, to the blend, and from 1982, after leaving the Chianti Classico Consorzio, the wine has been called simply Montevertine. His son Martino Manetti now runs the estate with Liviana Midolini and oenologist Paolo Salvi, protégé of the late Giulio Gambelli, a long-time champion of Sangiovese. The family also makes Le Pergole Torte.
The winemaking is deliberately traditional and has not changed since the first harvests. The grapes are picked by hand and fermented for about 21 days in glass-lined concrete vats, without temperature control, with the cap of skins wetted twice a day for a slow extraction of tannin. The wine then ages for 24 months in Slavonian oak casks and is never filtered.
About the vintage
JancisRobinson.com reported that 2023 brought an attack of downy mildew (peronospora, a fungal disease of the vine) across Italy and France, wiping out as much as 80% of the crop in some regions. At Montevertine, Antonio Galloni reported that production fell by about 20%, a result of downy mildew and grapes that gave little juice.
Galloni found the 2023s from Montevertine a touch lighter in body and structure, and expects them to drink well right out of the gate.
Critic scores and ratings
- 95 POINTS – Monica Larner – The Wine Advocate, September 2026
- 93 POINTS – Antonio Galloni – Vinous, August 2026
When to drink it
It drinks well now, and Antonio Galloni gives a drinking window of 2027 to 2038, so enjoy it now and through to 2038. Serve it at 17–18°C, as Montevertine recommends.
Technical details
| Producer: |
Montevertine |
| Wine: |
Montevertine |
| Vintage: |
2023 |
| Variety: |
90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino |
| Region: |
Radda in Chianti, Tuscany |
| Country: |
Italy |
| Classification: |
Toscana IGT |
| Oak: |
24 months in Slavonian oak casks |
| Fermentation: |
About 21 days in concrete vats; malolactic in concrete |
| Cellaring: |
2027 to 2038 (Antonio Galloni, Vinous) |
| Serving temperature: |
17–18°C |
| Organic: |
Vineyards farmed organically since 2009 |
Where to buy
The Montevertine Toscana 2023 is available online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. Online and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines.
Questions we are often asked
What grapes are in Montevertine 2023?
Montevertine 2023 is 90% Sangiovese, with 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino.
Is Montevertine a Chianti Classico?
No. It was labelled Chianti Classico until 1981, but since the estate left the Consorzio in 1982 it has been sold as Montevertine, under the Toscana IGT.
When should I drink Montevertine 2023?
Vinous expects it to drink well on release, and its window runs from 2027 to 2038.
Is Montevertine organic?
Yes. Montevertine has farmed its vineyards organically since 2009, using its own compost, copper and sulphur.
What food goes with Montevertine?
Montevertine suggests cured meats, grilled meats, pasta dishes, stews and fish stews.
Where can I buy Montevertine Toscana 2023?
The Winery sells Montevertine Toscana 2023 online at thewineryonline.co.nz for delivery within New Zealand. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
