The 2017 Montevertine is rich, creamy and beautifully resonant on the palate. Over the last year it seems to have gained an extra bit of freshness, which is of course such a plus in this very hot, dry vintage. Montevertine is often austere, but the 2017 is unusually open today, not to mention incredibly delicious. There is plenty of tannin beneath all of that vintage 2017 fruit. Even so, opening a bottle young is not a crime by any stretch of the imagination. Black cherry, leather, sweet pipe tobacco, licorice and earthy notes develop with aeration, showing just a glimpse of what is in store for those who can wait. The 2017 is a striking wine in every sense. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding further dimensions that will continue to unfold over the coming years.

The namesake Montevertine 2017 Montevertine pours from the bottle with a slightly darker hue compared to its predecessors. The phenolic imprint of Sangioveto (with smaller parts Canaiolo and Colorino) is always stronger in the hot and dry vintages like 2017. That more structured and saturated personality is duly followed by generous and intense aromas of black cherry, wild plum, lavender essence and gardening soil. The wine speaks fluently in an authentic Tuscan accent, underling the extreme purity that can be achieved with these indigenous grapes and likewise reminding you of the sheer generosity and freshness that is so specific to Radda in Chianti. There is some dusty dryness on the finish, and this remains an impressive wine from a challenging vintage.