2018 Monte Antico Supremus Toscana IGT 750 ml

Franco Bernabei is a living legend—a man who put a slew of Tuscan icons on the map. From Fontodi’s Flaccianello, to Selvapiana’s Bucerchiale, to Felsina’s Fontalloro, he’s responsible for some of the most collectible wines in the region.

And while most bottles that bear his fingerprints run well north of $50, the Monte Antico Supremus—a Super Tuscan that blends 75% Sangiovese with Cabernet and Merlot—comes in for far less than that.  

The 2018 Supremus is the product of a master’s touch in a classic vintage—perfect for early drinking and blessed with a flowing, gentle structure. It’s got the sophistication to be the centerpiece of a Saturday night steak dinner, and an easygoing charm that lets it pair perfectly with pizza on a busy Tuesday night as well.

Monte Antico is a partnership between three legends of the wine trade: Franco Bernabei, plus Neil and Maria Empson, trailblazing importers of Italian wine.

Neil, who coined the term “Super Tuscan,” and Maria partnered with the then-unknown Bernabei in 1977 to create Monte Antico, and the pair set about acquiring some of Tuscany’s prime sites. Today, Supremus draws from three different terroirs, with elevations that range from 800 to 1,500 feet above sea level, so when assembling the wine’s final blend there’s a whole palette of options to choose from.

In 2018, those parcels yielded a wine that’s an absolute standout, as Bernabei and his team leaned into the rich fruit and soft tannins that are hallmarks of the year. It’ll deliver tons of pleasure over the next seven years—but you’ll find it hard to keep your hands off it right now.