Monte Antico Rosso

Monte Antico Rosso is a Sangiovese-based Tuscan red wine (Toscana IGT) bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rated 91 points by James Suckling and awarded 90 points with a "Best Buy" designation from Wine Enthusiast, this blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon consistently punches well above its weight class among Italian reds.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy (Toscana IGT)  |  Blend: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Winemaker: Franco Bernabei

Production & Heritage

Monte Antico Rosso is produced under the direction of Neil and Maria Empson, with consultant winemaker Franco Bernabei — the same enologist whose work shaped iconic Super Tuscans, including Fontodi's celebrated Flaccianello. The fruit is sourced from approximately 50 of Tuscany's top vineyard sites spanning multiple zones, including Maremma, Colline Pisane, Chianti Classico, and Colli Fiorentini, giving the wine a diverse terroir profile. Originally produced entirely from Sangiovese Grosso — the same clone used for Brunello di Montalcino — the blend has since expanded to incorporate small percentages of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged for one year in a combination of 80% Slavonian oak barrels (five to six years old) and 20% French barriques, followed by an additional year of bottle aging before release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Black cherry and raspberry lead the nose, layered with leather, licorice, and subtle floral notes. Deeper sniffs reveal earthy mushroom and chestnut undertones alongside hints of vanilla and toasted coconut from the oak aging.

Taste: The palate opens with bright strawberry-cherry fruit and a lively, rustic quality. Mid-palate, the wine develops spice, earthiness, and a fleshy texture, with milk chocolate and a slight citrusy edge to the fruit giving complexity. Tannins are fine and chewy yet soft enough to keep the wine approachable, while vibrant acidity holds the structure together.

Finish: The finish is long, dry, and savory, with licorice and cola fading slowly into juicy dark fruit. A persistent earthiness lingers, leaving a clean and balanced impression.

How to Drink Monte Antico

Monte Antico Rosso shows its best character at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, poured into a standard Bordeaux glass with a few minutes of air. Its medium body and balanced acidity also make it a versatile wine for food-driven settings.

• Pasta Night Staple: The Sangiovese backbone and bright acidity cut through rich tomato-based sauces with ease.
• Pizza Wine: Its rustic, earthy character and soft tannins pair naturally with margherita or sausage-and-pepper pies.
• Charcuterie Companion: The cherry fruit and savory finish complement cured meats, aged cheeses, and olive tapenade boards.

Best For

• Everyday Tuscan red for weeknight dinners with Italian cuisine
• Introducing someone to quality Sangiovese without a steep price commitment
• Stocking a house wine that holds up across multiple food pairings
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a casual dinner party

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Monte Antico Rosso taste like? Monte Antico Rosso delivers bright cherry and raspberry fruit layered with earthy undertones, leather, licorice, and spice. The tannins are soft and approachable, with lively acidity and a long, dry, savory finish.

How does Monte Antico compare to Chianti Classico? Both are Tuscan, Sangiovese-dominant reds with earthy character and food-friendly acidity, but Monte Antico carries a Toscana IGT designation rather than the stricter Chianti Classico DOCG, allowing its blend to include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This blending flexibility, combined with fruit sourced from 50 vineyard sites across multiple Tuscan zones, gives Monte Antico a broader, slightly more international profile than a typical single-estate Chianti Classico.

Is Monte Antico good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, medium body, and approachable fruit-forward character make it an excellent entry point for exploring Tuscan Sangiovese. The Wine Enthusiast "Best Buy" designation reflects its strong quality-to-value ratio, which is ideal for those building their palate.

Where is Monte Antico made? Monte Antico Rosso is produced in Tuscany, Italy, under the Toscana IGT classification. The fruit is sourced from approximately 50 vineyard sites spanning key Tuscan zones including Maremma, Colline Pisane, Chianti Classico, and Colli Fiorentini.

What foods pair well with Monte Antico? Tomato-based pasta dishes like pappardelle bolognese complement the wine's acidity and earthy Sangiovese character. Grilled Italian sausage works well with the savory, spiced finish. Aged Pecorino Toscano mirrors the wine's rustic Tuscan identity. Roasted eggplant or mushroom risotto echo its earthy undertones. Wood-fired pizza is a natural, unfussy pairing.

What sizes does Monte Antico come in? Monte Antico Rosso is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Monte Antico worth the price? Monte Antico Rosso positions firmly in the value tier of Tuscan reds, yet its production pedigree — consultant winemaker Franco Bernabei, oak aging with bottle rest, and fruit from 50 top vineyard sites — delivers complexity typically found at significantly higher price points. The 91-point James Suckling score and Wine Enthusiast "Best Buy" both reinforce its standing as one of the stronger values in Italian wine.

Why Monte Antico?

What separates Monte Antico Rosso from the crowded field of affordable Tuscan reds is the hand behind the wine. Franco Bernabei's involvement brings Super Tuscan-level winemaking philosophy to a value-tier bottle, drawing on the same Sangiovese Grosso clone used for Brunello di Montalcino. The dual-oak aging regimen — Slavonian casks for structure, French barriques for complexity — followed by a full year of bottle aging before release, is a level of patience rare at this price. With 91 points from James Suckling and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy designation, Monte Antico consistently delivers serious Tuscan character without requiring a serious budget.