Montefioralle - Monteficalle IGT Toscana 2016
Pairing Suggestions
Montefioralle - Monteficalle IGT Toscana 2016 (88 TSW)
A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.
This picture I made during our vacation in the Netherlands. I took some nice wines with me and we watched soccer on the tablet.
About the wine:
In the beginning, the Monteficalle was ? Cabernet Sauvignon, ? Merlot, and ? Sangiovese.
In order to separate the wine even more from their Chianti Classico, they decided in 2010 to change the blend to 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 20% Sangiovese.
They used the best grapes from the oldest Sangiovese vines for this wine, the same grapes that they selected for their Chianti Classico Riserva.
In 2014, when more than 40% of production was lost due to a very rainy summer, they changed the blend again as they were lacking Sangiovese grapes of high quality and needed to use them all for their Chianti Classico Riserva. The new blend we decided on was 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot.
The vineyard plots used for this wine are more than 30 years old and the yield is rather moderate.
Alcoholic fermentation and maceration for 22 days (Merlot) and 20 days (Cab. Sau.) in cement tanks. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. At the end of the winter following the harvest, the blend is made directly in small used (fourth passage) oak barrels where it matures for 24 months.
As these are international grape varieties, we are talking about a different style of wine than the Chianti Classico. Therefore, it has been classified as an IGT Toscana wine. Most people know it as a SuperTuscan.
The wine is then bottled after a light filtration. Only 1200 bottles produced.
My tasting notes:
In the glass a deep garnet red color.
On the medium+ nose aromas of cherries, berries and plums with hints of tobacco, herbs and young leather.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium acidity and fruity freshness (merlot). Light ripe tannins and flavours are a recall of the nose with hints of ripe black plums, caramel and baked fruit. Nice medium length finish.