2015 Monte Antico Supremus Toscana IGT 750 ml

This under-the-radar 2015 Monte Antico Supremus Toscana IGT had us over the moon when we first tasted it, and is still one of our best finds of the past year. It drinks like an $80 Super Tuscan, and James Suckling lifted it up with 95 points, and some very to-the-point praise: “Full body. Racy and focused. Linear and bright. Best ever.” 

A few months ago, we sold 744 bottles of this crimson stunner in just over an hour. Ever since, we’ve been racing sommeliers across America for another allocation, and today we’ve got a few more cases to share.

The story of this wine is simple. There is one thing that always gets our attention—five little words uttered from a friend or significant other: “You have to try this.” 

Those were the words spoken to our own Eduardo Dingler, by his wife, Laura, who was wine director for Michael Chiarello’s Bottega (but whose talents we’ve now claimed at Wine Access!). As Eduardo explained to us at the time, “I had to fight Bottega for an allocation of this Super Tuscan for Wine Access.” Notice how he didn’t say “I had to fight Laura.” Take note of the wise diplomacy, married couples. 

So, what about this under-the-radar 2015 Monte Antico Supremus Toscana IGT has us, Eduardo, and Laura over the moon? The experience of this wine in the glass. With 75% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot, the aromas and flavors are what beguiled Eduardo and Laura from the start: A sumptuous core of wild red berry fruits, high-toned herbs, and intriguing florals atop a layered and extravagant core of juicy flavors, with angular tannins and a long and expansive finish. 

A gold-medal score of 95 points and an under $30 price tag doesn’t hurt either—but we only have 25 cases to share, and we know that reading “sold out” will hurt.

This wine deserves a standing ovation, possibly owed to the outstanding “textbook” 2015 vintage. A dry, sunny spring led to full flowering. Heat in June and July was relieved by refreshing rains in August, arriving just in time to unlock the final phase of ripening. Ideal conditions lasted throughout harvest, letting famed consulting enologist Franco Bernabei (Fontodi, Felsina, Banfi, Molino di Grace) take his time, allowing each Tuscan site—from the Maremma, Colline Pisane, and Colli Fiorentini, with vines rooted in fine-powdered limestone up to 1,500 feet in elevation—to reach perfect maturation.

Harvested at the peak of ripeness, fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks followed by an extended 15- to 20-day maceration on the skins. Separate lots are blended, then spend 14 months in fine Allier oak barriques of which 70% are new. Supremus ages another six months in the bottle prior to release. 

This is a stellar Super Tuscan for an unbeatable price. We doubt we’ll be able to beat the sommeliers to another allocation, so don’t wait to stock up.