Terra di Monteverro: Every vintage of this mini SuperTuscan

Monteverro will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year but it is only relatively recently that it has hit full stride.

Founded in Capalbio, Maremma in 2003 by German Georg Weber, at its heart lies a modern, partially subterranean eco-friendly winery utilising gravity and the natural cooling effects of the soil to minimise its energy footprint.

Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for 11 Terra di Monteverro vintages: 2008-2018

Just five kilometres from the Tyrrenhian sea, Monteverro’s 55 hectare estate occupies three hills ranging from 30 to 80 metres on stony, mineral-rich red clay soils.

Of the 55ha, 35ha is planted to vines, the first 15ha of which were planted in 2004 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache, plus small parcels of Chardonnay and Vermentino. The altitude, hillside slopes and sea breeze provide a unique microclimate for the vines here, with cool temperatures at night and warm, plentiful Tuscan sunshine during the day.

The estate’s large proportion of scrubland encourages biodiversity, from tiny pollinators to wild boar, wild herbs and flowers to olive trees, plus a natural lake surrounded by old cork oak trees.

In 2008, Matthieu Taunay joined as the estate’s enologist. A young winemaker with experience in Bordeaux, Châteauneuf du Pape, Napa, South Africa and New Zealand, he enlisted the experience of expert consultants Jean Hoefliger and Michel Rolland, who still advise.

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