This bottle is a masterclass in high-altitude, unmanipulated Sangiovese. Perched on a high, rocky crest of galestro in Panzano, Montefili completely ignores the modern temptation to soften or fatten up Chianti Classico. There is no Merlot makeup, no heavy oak blanket—just pure, chiseled rock and razor-sharp fruit.
The nose skips the sweet cherry cliches entirely, leading instead with a deeply savory, high-toned blast of crushed iron, wild rosemary, and a remarkably bright, sharp hit of blood orange peel. It smells cool, vertical, and entirely bound to the stone.
On the palate, the wine vibrates with an absolute jolt of nervous energy. It refuses to slouch or spread out across the mid-palate; instead, it drives straight up and down with a piercing, electric line of acidity and a mouthwatering saline snap. The tannins are traditionally gritty and demanding, creating a tight, architectural frame that completely cleanses the palate.
This isn't a soft, comforting red to sip on the couch. It is a tense, bone-dry, highly intellectual wine that commands a piece of charred meat and absolute attention.
About the ProducerPerched high above Panzano, in Greve in Chianti, Vecchie Terre di Montefili is a historic estate with vineyards at around 500 metres on rocky galestro and alberese. The altitude gives Sangiovese nervous acidity and long life. Montefili made one of the very first Super Tuscans, the 100% Sangiovese “Anfiteatro”, named after its natural amphitheatre vineyard, and the estate has been revitalised under new ownership while keeping its organic philosophy, with spontaneous fermentations and low sulfites.
Its Chianti Classico ignores the temptation to soften or fatten the wine: no Merlot, no heavy oak. The 2021 skips sweet cherry for crushed iron, wild rosemary and blood orange peel, with an electric line of acidity, a saline snap and traditionally gritty tannins, a tense, intellectual wine for charred meat. The 2019 is silkier, with dark cherry, wild strawberry, cranberry and dried violets, medium-bodied and balanced. Montefili wines are tense, mineral and cerebral, embodying the cool, forest-edged character of the high Chianti hills.
Vintage Context 2021 Vintage Released 2023
★★★★★
Exceptional. Fresh, vibrant, and intense. High potential for Gran Selezione.
