2017 Monteverro Tinata Toscana IGT

The 2017 has an incredible grip with saline minerality and high-toned herbal nuances. Medium-bodied with robust, granular tannins and plenty of racy acidity, helping keep everything fresh and layered. Winemaker Jean Hoefliger met the Webber family, owners of Monteverro, in 2003 at Newton in Napa Valley. The winery is in Capalbio, in the Tuscan Maremma, about a mile from the sea as the crow flies. The estate harbours 24.28 hectares of vines on eroded stony soils, much like the round river rocks of the Rhône Valley. The in-house winemaker is Matthieu Taunay, and Jean Hoefliger has served as a consultant since 2008, the first vintage. The winery is a state-of-the-art facility, allowing for stainless steel, concrete egg, and barrel fermentation. The Tinata is a unique blend for this region of Tuscany and is typically 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache each year. Aged in roughly 80% new French oak for 16 months. The Syrah remains in the barrel the entire time, but the Grenache goes up to concrete tanks halfway through ageing to avoid the oxidative potential of the grape and keep it fresh and lively, layering that quality to the blend. (JC)

Cracked black pepper, black fruit, ripe strawberries and hints of flowers, following through to a full body with round, creamy tannins and a flavorful finish. Fruity-forward red, yet vivid acidity keeps the energy levels up. Syrah and grenache.