It lives up to the Super Tuscan name, the Monte Antico Toscana Rosso.
85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany, Italy. The wine spends one year in a mix of 80% Slavonian oak barrels (5-6 years old) and 20% barriques plus an additional year in the bottle before release. It has 2.85 g/L of residual sugar.
Sample submitted for review. The Monte Antico Toscana Rosso has an SRP of $14 and is available for around $10. It is imported by Empson USA Inc.
This blend is a result of the synergy between Italian wine specialist Neil Empson and renowned winemaker Franco Bernabei. From the finest grapes and prime Tuscan hillsides, fruit and soil selection allow the wine to achieve consistent quality with each vintage. Aged 1 year in oak and 6 months in bottle, its full body and lush, fruity flavor make this a perfect match for cheese, pasta and all meat dishes.
13% Alcohol
Today's wine is classified as a “Super Tuscan”. Despite what you might assume from the inclusion of the word "Super", this simply means that the wine does not follow the official blending rules of the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita). Instead these wines get the IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) label which just means the grapes come from the same area the wine is made. "Super Tuscan" is basically a marketing term for what used to be called table wine and can reflect a very wide range of styles, quality and oftentimes some pretty cool experimentation.
The 2015 Monte Antico Toscana Rosso begins with pleasant aromas of black cherry, leather, licorice, plums and some nice floral notes. Taking a sip reveals a solid, tasty wine with a rustic quality to it. Medium-bodied with soft tannins and a smooth mouthfeel, it is quite easy to drink. The flavors are similar to the nose with some added earthiness, spice and a bit of a citrusy edge to the fruit. Licorice and cola lead into the long, dry finish of juicy fruit. It's quite good at only $10.
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