~ Montefioralle is actually a small hamlet near Greve in Chianti ~
The Montefioralle winery has a long, rich history. However, it’s not nearly as long as the hamlet that gives the winery its name. Documents first reference the fortified abbey of Montefioralle as early as the year 1085. With Florence and Siena constantly warring, various reinforcements including trenches, walls and guard towers were added.
Today, not unlike the village of Volpaia, the small hamlet looks far less ominous and is home to about 100 people. Situated on a hillside nearest to Greve in Chianti, the vineyards of Montefioralle rise along the southern slopes of the village and sit about 4oo meters above sea level.
~ Vineyards on the Montefioralle Estate ~
The Montefioralle vineyards are rare for Chianti Classico. Covering only 4 hectares, they are uniquely rich in limestone which imparts a silky, dusty texture to their wines. The estate has received a Certified Organic designation beginning with the 2018 vintage. Owned and run by the Sieni family since 1964, the vineyards were originally curated by the hamlet’s church. When the church’s Priest died in 1990, the family acquired the vineyards which now form the core of the estate. Today, the average age of the vines range between 20-40 years old. However, for the Riserva wine, the vineyard plot is closer to 35 years of age.
The 2016 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva is a brilliant deep violet color. Immediately the taster is greeted by intense aromas of crushed cherry, powdered baking spices, tobacco leaf and fresh sage. Savory and juicy on the palate, the core of fruit flavor is laced with a dusty, shale like texture. Ripe flavors of cherry, tobacco and cured meats round out the package of this finesse driven Riserva. 92 points. About $26 Euro. Available from VDLT Selections or directly from the winery. Find this wine.
~ The 2016 Riserva is 90% Sangiovese, 6% Canaiolo and 4% Colorino aged in barriques for 30 months prior to release ~
While researching this winery, I found an interesting tool that they provide on their website. Each wine produced in every vintage comes with a graph depicting the aging arc of the wine. I copied the 2016 Riserva chart below as an example.
~ Montefioralle provides “Maturity Curves” for their wines based upon anticipated enjoyability. An interesting data point ~
Salute!
Hi John,
Very interesting post. I had never heard of them before. Great website and nice description on their history. I really like the maturity curves. I am very tempted to order a few bottles from their website.
Joe, i agree – nice profile and beautiful photos. If you’re in the US, we offer the wine at http://www.vdltwine.com
Thanks Greg! I’ve also updated the article. Salute!
Joe, limited stock is also available at their US importer if you see the link below. Definitely worth a try. As you know, Greve isn’t among my favorite Comune, but this is different.
Nice post, John! A new wine I’ve never heard of before. I love Chianti Classico, so I’m making a note. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers Peter. Glad to see you well.
The maturity curve is pretty fascinating. This may be wildly politically incorrect (and believe me I’ve been working very hard at maintaining all of the correct virus related behaviors), but I really do flatten the curve as we never manage to hold wine for 10 years after the vintage. The bottles inevitably get opened. I think Montefioralle is in my local wine shop, I’ll pick up a bottle next time.
I agree Steve. It takes a lot of patience, and a lot of money!, to have a cellar on a 10 year rotation. Maybe if you buy 3 or 4 you can “lose” one for 10 years but that’s really not the point the graph is making. To do this consistently, you’d need 5 or 6 vintages of a few similar wines. Consider Brunello? You’d be drinking 2010s now, for a year. U til the 2011s are 10. But my 11s are gone. So 2012 next. But that’s 2 years. Simpler? I’m not waiting until 2025 to drink my 2015 Brunello. ????
I visited their winery in 2013. I enjoyed all of their wines including the Vin Santo and Monteficalle(Supertuscan). Great view too from the outside tasting;-)
Ciao Rune – I was impressed with this wine – the first one I’ve tasted from them. It won’t be the last based on this one and frankly, in a few years, I think this wine will be even better. Salute! Thanks for commenting.