Montevertine Rosso, Montevertine - Toscana, Italy 2021 - 75cl
Montevertine sits high in Radda, in the heart of Chianti Classico country — and pointedly refuses to call its wines Chianti. Back in the 1980s Sergio Manetti fell out with the appellation rules over what could go into the blend, walked away, and has labelled everything Toscana IGT ever since. This is the estate's Rosso: mostly Sangiovese with a little Canaiolo and Colorino, and in many ways the truest, most drinkable read on what Montevertine is about.
The 2021 is tightly wound and precise — blue currant, iris root and red rose on a nose that takes a moment to unfurl. Give it air and ripe strawberry appears, alongside a savoury note of roasted tomato and a thread of thyme. The acidity runs high and bright, the tannins have real grip, and the whole thing feels streamlined rather than showy. Classic high-altitude Radda Sangiovese.
It's impressive now, but a couple of years will do it good — take it to 2026 or 2027 and the grip softens into something gorgeous. Honestly one of the great-value serious reds in Tuscany, from an estate whose top wine costs many times more.
How to Serve
Decant for thirty minutes and serve at 16–18°C in a large glass. Not too warm — Sangiovese's acidity is half the pleasure, and heat flattens it.
Where to Drink It
- Bocca di Lupo, Soho — regional Italian cooking made for a bottle like this.
- Trullo, Islington — the house pasta and a glass of Radda Sangiovese, sorted.
- Noble Rot, Lamb's Conduit Street — a list favourite that punches above its price.
Food Pairings
Pasta with a simple tomato and basil sauce, or a bowl of ribollita — the roasted-tomato note in the wine loves it. A fennel-sausage pizza would be no hardship either.
