Monte Antico Supremus

Monte Antico Supremus is a Sangiovese-based Super Tuscan red blend from Toscana IGT, bottled at 14–14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage earned 95 points from James Suckling, who praised its "very fine tannins and blackberry and blueberry character," placing it among the most critically acclaimed wines at its price tier in all of Tuscany.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14–14.5%  |  Origin: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy  |  Super Tuscan Blend  |  Winemaker: Franco Bernabei

Production & Heritage

Monte Antico Supremus was launched in 2009 by Neil and Maria Empson as a tribute to their deep connection with Tuscany. The wine is made by Franco Bernabei, one of Italy's most accomplished winemakers — the same consultant behind iconic Tuscan bottlings such as Fontodi's Flaccianello, Selvapiana's Bucerchiale, and Felsina's Fontalloro. The grapes are grown in the heart of Chianti Classico territory between the villages of Monteriggioni and Castellina in Chianti, though the wine is classified as Toscana IGT due to its international grape content.

The blend of 75% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in stainless steel tanks at 25°C, followed by 15–20 days of skin maceration and a 7-day malolactic fermentation. Once blended, the wine ages 14 months in barrique — principally Allier oak, with 70% new barrels — before spending an additional 6 months in bottle prior to release.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated blackberry and blueberry fruit, shifting into more complex layers of violet, leather, and underbrush. Subtle balsamic and toasted vanilla notes emerge with air, joined by hints of cedar and black pepper.

Taste: The entry is polished and full, with dried black cherry and crushed dark berries dominating the mid-palate. Ground black pepper, tobacco, and a trace of chocolate develop as the wine expands, supported by fine-grained, velvety tannins. The structure is firm yet silky, with a juicy acidity that keeps everything focused and bright.

Finish: Long and lingering, with tobacco, mineral, and cinnamon trailing behind the fruit. The tannins remain refined throughout, leaving a clean, persistent close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Supremus

Supremus is best enjoyed at 16–18°C (60–65°F) with 30–60 minutes of decanting to let the oak integrate and the fruit fully open. This is a wine built for the table — pour it alongside a bistecca alla fiorentina for a classic Tuscan pairing, serve it with wild boar ragù over pappardelle where the wine's tannin and acidity cut through the richness, or match it with aged Pecorino Toscano to highlight its savory, earthy undertones.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast who appreciates Super Tuscans
• Anchoring a Tuscan-themed dinner party with a structured, age-worthy red
• Introducing someone to the Super Tuscan category without the ultra-premium price tag
• Cellaring for 5–10 years to explore how Sangiovese-Merlot-Cabernet blends evolve

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Supremus taste like? Monte Antico Supremus delivers concentrated dark berry fruit — blackberry, blueberry, and dried cherry — layered with tobacco, leather, black pepper, and subtle chocolate, all held together by silky, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.

How does Supremus compare to Tignanello? Both are Sangiovese-led Super Tuscan blends from prime Tuscan vineyards that use French oak aging and international grape varieties alongside Sangiovese. Tignanello typically carries a significantly higher price point and draws from a single estate in the Chianti Classico zone, while Supremus offers a comparable style and structure at a more accessible tier — its 95-point James Suckling score demonstrates serious critical pedigree.

Is Supremus good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the velvety tannins and balanced fruit make it an engaging wine to drink on its own, especially after 30 minutes in a decanter to let the oak and fruit integrate fully.

Where is Supremus made? The wine is produced in Tuscany, Italy under the Toscana IGT classification, with grapes sourced from vineyards located between Monteriggioni and Castellina in Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.

What foods pair well with Supremus? Grilled T-bone steak or bistecca alla fiorentina matches the wine's firm tannins and dark fruit. Wild boar ragù or braised short ribs benefit from the acidity cutting through rich, slow-cooked meats. Aged hard cheeses like Pecorino Toscano echo the wine's earthy, savory side. Roasted lamb with rosemary complements the herbal and balsamic undertones. Dark chocolate desserts find a natural companion in the wine's subtle cocoa and spice notes.

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

Is Supremus worth the price? Supremus positions as a mid-range Super Tuscan that punches well above its weight — a 95-point score from James Suckling and a winemaker of Franco Bernabei's stature are rare at this price tier, making it one of the stronger values in the Toscana IGT category.

Why Supremus?

The involvement of Franco Bernabei — the consultant behind some of Tuscany's most revered single-vineyard wines — immediately sets Supremus apart from the crowded Super Tuscan field. Grapes sourced from the prestigious corridor between Monteriggioni and Castellina in Chianti give the wine a terroir pedigree typically associated with far more expensive bottles. The 14-month aging regimen in predominantly new Allier oak barrique delivers the structure and complexity to age, while the 95-point James Suckling score on the 2015 vintage confirms that this is not simply a well-marketed label but a seriously made wine that earns its place at the table.