Azienda Agricola Montefioralle vintage tasting note archive
I love these wines, they are a great expression of what I want to find in my Chianti Classico. I commonly find mineral and stone notes in these wines, along with cherry and dark cherry fruit. They tend to be rich wines, not heavy, but with a certain density, and are usually very tense across the palate, really offering a textural counterpoint to the richness, preventing the wines from becoming ponderous. The Riserva can show some funky/gamey qualities, along with floral accents while in the annata I tend to find a more savory character recalling tea and herbs, paired with a more delicate and purely defined core of fruit
Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Chianti Classico Riserva Profile
- Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 6% Canaiolo, 4% Colorino
- Vineyard Source: The estate's oldest vines (averaging 35+ years), heavily yield-restricted.
- Fermentation: De-stemmed, fermented together in cement tanks (2-3 weeks). Malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel.
- Aging: 24 months total. 12 months in used oak barrels, followed by 12 months in"Clayver" ceramic vessels. Light filtration before bottling.
All wines were tasted on release
2022 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
90% Sangiovese, 6% Canaiolo, 4% Colorino, 3,000 bottles
Montefioralle
Nicely mineral on the nose with a fine underlay of older wood supporting a core of juniper and roasted beef framed small wild berry fruits. Smooth, almost lush, rich with good depth on the palate, but not weighty. This is a little powerhouse, it has terrific dark berry fruit and mineral cut on the palate, superb tannin integration, where the tannin fill the mouth but remain tucked under the fruit and a lovely finish where the fruit gains some bitter cherry nuances and a lichen covered rocky tone. This needs another 2-3 years in bottle and should age well for two decades, it’s rich, distinctive and deep with old veiny fruit. Delicious. 95pts
2021 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Very fragrant if a bit funky with a leathery, gamy base note. A fair amount of fruit showing a bit of a candied aspect, with lots of dark, black spicy notes lurking in the background. Lots of cut early on the palate, with good tension, this has a saltiness to it, is rather packed for the long haul but shows fine depth to the candied lingonberry and spiced blackberry fruit. Theres a touch of caramel, coffee/cola tone on the backend that detracts from the freshness here, but this is well put together in a rugged, ageworthy style. Lots of stoneiness on the finish. 91pts
2019 Chianti Classico Riserva
Reticent with dark cherry and white floral aromas topped with a gentle suggestion of wood spice. Rounded entry leads to a rathe taut midpalate where the classic minerality of the estate shows up, but to a lesser degree than previous vintages. The wine really shines ont he backend where it’s savory rosewood notions lend complexity to the rich fruit streaked with slightly vegetal, dried herbal notes. Long, superbly balanced through the finish, this is more about potential today but looks terrific. 93
2018 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Crushed stone, sweet carob, and slightly roasted cherry fruit aromas greet the nose. Firm and slightly blocky at first, then this slowly unwinds in the mouth revealing terrifically rich red cherry fruit, ripe tannins, all framed with hints of gunpowder, black tea, and ginseng. The finish is terrific, bright red fruits layered over that firm, stony frame, endless. There’s a poise to this wine which makes it distinctive, and lends this such a vividness. I absolutely love this texture of this wine. A benchmark 96pts
2017 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Very leathery and perhaps slightly bretty on the nose which does slowly reveal talcy, crushed rock note along with dark wild berry fruits and a hint of iris. Smooth, rich, and fairly packed with extract, this is a large-scale wine, with terrific depth on the palate, all stone and black cherry fruit along with some nutty nuances. The tannins are intense if fine grained and this is certainly a wine in need of 2-3 years in the cellar but it does have palate staining depth of mineral and briary berry flavors. Power and freshness. Chewy. 92
2013 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Tarry and deep on the nose with lovely wild berry fruit, real intense and pure, this has a terrific edge of sweet tart ripe fruit leading on the palate with fine grained tannins and superb acidity keeping this fresh and bright in the mouth. A bit rustic and a little earthy and dried floral on the backend which shows decent length, this is a bit aggressive and really needs food but shows a face of Chianti Classico rarely seen today, great cut and liveliness in the mouth. 88pts
2022 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
90% Sangiovese, 6% Canaiolo, 4% Colorino, 3,000 bottles
Montefioralle
Nicely mineral on the nose with a fine underlay of older wood supporting a core of juniper and roasted beef framed small wild berry fruits. Smooth, almost lush, rich with good depth on the palate, but not weighty. This is a little powerhouse, it has terrific dark berry fruit and mineral cut on the palate, superb tannin integration, where the tannin fill the mouth but remain tucked under the fruit and a lovely finish where the fruit gains some bitter cherry nuances and a lichen covered rocky tone. This needs another 2-3 years in bottle and should age well for two decades, it’s rich, distinctive and deep with old veiny fruit. Delicious. 95pts
2021 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Very fragrant if a bit funky with a leathery, gamy base note. A fair amount of fruit showing a bit of a candied aspect, with lots of dark, black spicy notes lurking in the background. Lots of cut early on the palate, with good tension, this has a saltiness to it, is rather packed for the long haul but shows fine depth to the candied lingonberry and spiced blackberry fruit. Theres a touch of caramel, coffee/cola tone on the backend that detracts from the freshness here, but this is well put together in a rugged, ageworthy style. Lots of stoneiness on the finish. 91pts
2019 Chianti Classico Riserva
Reticent with dark cherry and white floral aromas topped with a gentle suggestion of wood spice. Rounded entry leads to a rathe taut midpalate where the classic minerality of the estate shows up, but to a lesser degree than previous vintages. The wine really shines ont he backend where it’s savory rosewood notions lend complexity to the rich fruit streaked with slightly vegetal, dried herbal notes. Long, superbly balanced through the finish, this is more about potential today but looks terrific. 93
2018 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Crushed stone, sweet carob, and slightly roasted cherry fruit aromas greet the nose. Firm and slightly blocky at first, then this slowly unwinds in the mouth revealing terrifically rich red cherry fruit, ripe tannins, all framed with hints of gunpowder, black tea, and ginseng. The finish is terrific, bright red fruits layered over that firm, stony frame, endless. There’s a poise to this wine which makes it distinctive, and lends this such a vividness. I absolutely love this texture of this wine. A benchmark 96pts
2017 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Very leathery and perhaps slightly bretty on the nose which does slowly reveal talcy, crushed rock note along with dark wild berry fruits and a hint of iris. Smooth, rich, and fairly packed with extract, this is a large-scale wine, with terrific depth on the palate, all stone and black cherry fruit along with some nutty nuances. The tannins are intense if fine grained and this is certainly a wine in need of 2-3 years in the cellar but it does have palate staining depth of mineral and briary berry flavors. Power and freshness. Chewy. 92
2013 Montefioralle Chianti Classico Riserva
Tarry and deep on the nose with lovely wild berry fruit, real intense and pure, this has a terrific edge of sweet tart ripe fruit leading on the palate with fine grained tannins and superb acidity keeping this fresh and bright in the mouth. A bit rustic and a little earthy and dried floral on the backend which shows decent length, this is a bit aggressive and really needs food but shows a face of Chianti Classico rarely seen today, great cut and liveliness in the mouth. 88pts
Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico Riserva Profile
- Blend: 90% Sangiovese, 6% Canaiolo, 4% Colorino
- Fermentation: De-stemmed, fermented together in cement tanks (2-3 weeks). Malolactic fermentation completed in stainless steel.
- Aging: 12 months in used oak barrels, followed by a light filtration before bottling.
All wines were tasted on release.
2023 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Deep, leathery, dusky, dried mushroom, light oxidation on the palate, big, soft, pillowy, lacks focus, and turns drying on the finish, clumsy 83pts Need to retaste.
2020 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
A touch of older wood greets the nose followed by pretty ripe cherry and mulberry fruit which shows excellent purity. Moderately rich up front, then this tightens up considerably on the palate revealing a very deep, stony midpalate. The fruit is fairly dark, but also quite pure, fresh, and terrifically persistent through the long, gently tannic finish. Good transparency and excellent tension here with a long, powerful finish. A touch tough but I love the mineral and fruit flavor profile. 92
2019 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Quite floral and stoney on the nose with hints of licorice and medicinal herbs lending complexity. Rather supple early on the palate, though it shows wonderful depth to its black cherry skin fruit flavors. There's a fine mineral wash to this that draws out the finish, just terrific if slightly sneaky wine that gains more sanguine notes with air and subtle salumi notes as well. A gourmand wine, love to have this with myriad foods. Classic Chianti Classico that is slightly denser than one might expect. 92pts
2018 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Smoky and soil driven with strong notes of black tea and gunpowder on the nose. Dark fruit and curry leaf. A bit chewy on entry, dark, deep extract of black cherry fruit on the palate, this stains the palate, with real mineral drive that extends the long finish, ton’s of powdered rocks here. Great complexity, depth and power. 93
2017 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Intense dark cherry fruit with a lick of limestone and older wood notes lending complexity. A bit soft, rich, chewy but not dry, in fact it's rounded with soft tannins and a certain level of dry extract that lends the cherry fruit here a certain level of opacity. Rigid, firm and refreshing through the long tea scented bold black cherry finish. A serious Chianti Classico that could benefit from another year in bottle to allow the tense elegance to emerge, but it is already rather seamless. 89
2023 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Deep, leathery, dusky, dried mushroom, light oxidation on the palate, big, soft, pillowy, lacks focus, and turns drying on the finish, clumsy 83pts Need to retaste.
2020 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
A touch of older wood greets the nose followed by pretty ripe cherry and mulberry fruit which shows excellent purity. Moderately rich up front, then this tightens up considerably on the palate revealing a very deep, stony midpalate. The fruit is fairly dark, but also quite pure, fresh, and terrifically persistent through the long, gently tannic finish. Good transparency and excellent tension here with a long, powerful finish. A touch tough but I love the mineral and fruit flavor profile. 92
2019 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Quite floral and stoney on the nose with hints of licorice and medicinal herbs lending complexity. Rather supple early on the palate, though it shows wonderful depth to its black cherry skin fruit flavors. There's a fine mineral wash to this that draws out the finish, just terrific if slightly sneaky wine that gains more sanguine notes with air and subtle salumi notes as well. A gourmand wine, love to have this with myriad foods. Classic Chianti Classico that is slightly denser than one might expect. 92pts
2018 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Smoky and soil driven with strong notes of black tea and gunpowder on the nose. Dark fruit and curry leaf. A bit chewy on entry, dark, deep extract of black cherry fruit on the palate, this stains the palate, with real mineral drive that extends the long finish, ton’s of powdered rocks here. Great complexity, depth and power. 93
2017 Montefioralle Chianti Classico
Intense dark cherry fruit with a lick of limestone and older wood notes lending complexity. A bit soft, rich, chewy but not dry, in fact it's rounded with soft tannins and a certain level of dry extract that lends the cherry fruit here a certain level of opacity. Rigid, firm and refreshing through the long tea scented bold black cherry finish. A serious Chianti Classico that could benefit from another year in bottle to allow the tense elegance to emerge, but it is already rather seamless. 89