Monte Antico, Italy

The wine is the creation of consultant winemaker Franco Bernabei, whose winemaking genius was behind the launch of a string of iconic Super-Tuscans including Fontodi’s Flaccianello in 1981 and Felsina’s Fontalloro in 1983. This is an historic estate surrounded by vineyards, forests, olive groves and even a hunting reserve, which was purchased by Neil and Maria Empson, established fine wine merchants from North America, who saw the incredible potential of the estate, the brand, and its cellars. Since 2019 the project has been managed by Tara Smeralda Empson who was awarded by Wine Enthusiast among the “40 under 40” – one of the 40 most influential people in the wine business. She has an American heart and an Italian temperament and has led the winery to sell to over 40 countries around the globe.

Viticulture

Previously, Monte Antico was entirely made of Sangiovese Grosso, the same clone used for Brunello di Montalcino, which was austere and structured, but the wines lacked the refinement and quality that they believed was possible, so the team, which included a collaboration with their close friend and world-famous oenologist Franco Bernabei, searched for higher altitude's and new areas within Tuscany such as Colline Pisane, Chianti Classico and Colli Fiorentini, whilst still maintaining some sites in Maremma. These three zones offer a lot of diversity, which aid in producing the best quality wine and complexity each vintage. Expanding to some 50 of Tuscany’s best vineyard sites both in Maremma (Scansano, particularly for the Merlot and Cabernet) and in Colline Pisane and Colli Fiorentini, as well as the most recent additions, a few areas in Chianti. The total area is now is around 200 hectares under vine, yielding 60 hl/ha. The soils are diverse, from compact, very fine-textured limestone at 1,300-1,500 feet above sea level, to classic, clayey/calcareous, rocky galestro rock, also at altitudes around 1,300 feet; and clayey/siliceous/calcareous soil, at an altitude of 820-990 feet.

Winemaking

Monte Antico combines traditional viticulture with modern vinification techniques, chosen to maintain the elegant fruity backbone of Sangiovese grapes grown on hillsides, all balanced by the smoothing, spicy character of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, mostly grown in the sunny coastal area of Maremma. The meticulous ageing is carried out for 18 months in large oak casks and French barrique, medium toasted, followed by a period of bottle ageing.