2009 Montepeloso Gabbro

Montepeloso is a 17-acre estate in Suvereto, in Tuscany. Located adjacent to the acclaimed Tua Rita estate, Montepeloso is an estate made up of chalky gravel and clay hillsides. It is owned by Fabio Chiarelotto, a historian who bought the estate in 1998. Montepeloso’s signature wines are Nardo, a blend of mostly Sangiovese and small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gabbro, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that the Gabbro “is a terrific example of what can be produced in this area adjacent to the Mediterranean.” He has called past vintages “sumptuous…with extravagant intensity, an opulent texture and a large-scaled, rich, concentrated finish.” Nardo has also received high acclaim from Parker and others. About 400 cases or Nardo and 200 cases of Gabbro are produced annually.

Tuscany, or Toscana in Italian, is Italy’s best-known wine region and its most diverse. Historically Sangiovese was the primary grape grown in Tuscany and Chianti was considered the purest expression of Sangiovese. Sangiovese and its many clones are still important, and they are the grapes used for the Tuscan appellations of Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, Chianti, Chianti Classico and Carmignano. But in the last 50 years innovative producers, many of them in southwestern Tuscany in the area called Maremma, have also planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The tradition defying producers have blended those varietals with Sangiovese to produce dazzling wines that do not conform to Italy’s appellation regulations. Such wines are called Super Tuscans and cannot be labeled with either of Italy’s highest level quality designations, which are in order of status Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantia, (DOCG), and Denominazione di Origine Controllata, (DOC). (This has not at all hindered the demand for Super Tuscans, some of which are consistently among the world’s most admired and well-reviewed wines.) Tuscany has six DOCG appellations and thirty-four DOCs. Though famous for its red wines, Tuscany also produces whites made primarily from Trebbiano and Vernaccia. There are also many Tuscan Indicazione Geographica Tipica (IGT) wines that are often an innovative blend of traditional and non-traditional grapes. This relatively new appellation status was started in 1992 as an attempt to give an official classification to Italy’s many newer blends that do fit the strict requirements of DOC and DOCG classifications. IGT wines may use the name of the region and varietal on their label or in their name.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.