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| Tuscan ‘Cashmere’ |
| By Rajiv Singhal |
| A picture-perfect setting – the conservatory of a large country home overlooking a beautiful lake somewhere on the outskirts of a capital city in Scandinavia – as exciting as the vertical of wines laid out for us. |
| Monteverro in Southern Tuscany is the fruit of the passion of Georg Weber and his wife, Julia. A glass of 1966 Chateau Latour opened the door to a “hitherto unknown” world for Georg, who decided that he wanted to make world class wines instead of buying them. |
| His search for the “best” terroir in the world (with some prodding from Michel Rolland) ended in Maremma. “The conditions that prevail are a dream for any winemaker”. The steep slopes are in the immediate proximity of the sea. The brisk wind, cool nights and sun-soaked days create optimum conditions for growth. The soil is made of red clay mixed with eroded stones, very mineral-rich. |
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| The Estate has been founded with the goal to create among the world’s most exceptional and outstanding wines. The couple nurture a love of detail, without compromise. “We want to produce cashmere, not cotton.” |
| “A good wine comes from the vineyard”. At Monetverro, nature runs its course. Only 35 of the 60 hectares are planted under vines that are around two hundred feet above sea level and oriented north-south to allow even sunshine on the leaves. Monoculture has no place here –the emphasis is on biodiversity. |
| The landscape is unspoiled and filled with Mediterranean flavors – just like the wines. The exceptional terroir can be tasted in every sip. |
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The Tinata |
| A wine that is dedicated to Georg’s mother, Tina, and pays homage to her love for the great grape varieties of the Rhône – Syrah (fruit, power, body) and Grenache (freshness, elegance) – that have been nurtured into outstanding quality in southern Tuscany on a single block which represents one of the best slopes, around a centuries-old cork tree, in the immediate proximity to the Mediterranean scrub whose aromas of lavender, rosemary, and thyme infuse into the wine. Aged in a mix of new French oak barrels and egg-shaped concrete tanks for 16 months, the wine is highly complex but very expressive – an elegant structure and enormous depth. |
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| Monteverro Tinata 2008. Deep and dark. Deeply complex. Lavender, game, cedar wood and dark chocolate. Deeply flavourful even if the tannins are somewhat unevolved. Pure. |
| Monteverro Tinata 2009. Deep bright purple. Expressive. Redcurrants, raspberry, blueberries, sage and violets. Harmonious tannins. Very fresh and supple. Charming. |
| Monteverro Tinata 2010. Deep purple. Youthful. Blackberry, cardamom, licorice. Silky tannins. Perfumed. Well balanced sweet finish. Sophisticated. |
| Monteverro Tinata 2011. Bright purple. Refined. Cardamom and other spices, toasty, smoky. Well structured and full bodied. Drying tannins. Focussed. |
| Monteverro Tinata 2012. Purple. Closed. Blackberry, cherry, licorice, violet. Firm tannins. Balanced acidity. Long smooth finish. Vibrant. |
| Monteverro Tinata 2013. Bright purple. Refined and tempting. Pepper, cherry, meaty, toasty. Medium bodied. Grippy tannins. Well made. Give it time. |
| A tasting hosted by FINE friends. |
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