The heart of this The Dozen is five reds from Tuscan producer Montefili – all bearing the marks of Sangiovese’s raspy tannins to go with the cherry and blackberry fruitinesss. Montefili is fairly new to the U.S. market so you may have to search around a bit at online sites like wine-searcher.com to find where you can purchase them.
The photo above is from the estate.
2022 Franciscan California Chardonnay ($13). Nice, intense, spicy apple and preserved fruit flavors with a crisp finish.
2021 Franciscan California Cabernet Sauvignon ($16). A tad on the sweet-fruity side with some wood notes and a smooth texture.
2021 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay ($35). Firm apple flavors with preserved vanilla notes and some spicy fresh woodiness.
2021 The Prisoner Carneros Chardonnay ($39). Somewhat aggressive with fresh oakiness, rounded fruits and some bitters in the edges.
2021 WillaKenzie “Estate Cuvée” Yamhill-Carlton Chardonnay ($53). Good acidity and structure with honeyed – but not sweet – apple fruitiness.
2021 Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Sparkling Rosé ($35). Very pleasant with ripe strawberries, fresh citrus, dried geranium leaf and a delightful herbal finish.
NV Gran Moraine “Yamhill-Carlton” Brut Rosé ($60). Tart red fruits, great structure and intensity and nice minerality – well-made and very enjoyable.
2020 Montefili Chianti Classico ($34). An easy-going CC with warm fruity flavors, lots of barrel notes and raspy tannins.
2019 Montefili “Vigna Vecchie” Sangiovese Tuscan IGT ($70). The flavors strike high on the palate with typical Sangio combo of cherry fruitiness and raspy tannins.
2019 Montefili “Anfiteatro” Tuscan IGT ($95). Seems a little flatter, with less fruitiness and more tannins than the others of the same vintage.
2019 Montefili “Vigna nel Bosco” Tuscan IGT (about $96). Fresh, yet full-bodied fruitiness – blackberries – with gripping tannins in the finish.
2020 Montefili Chianti Classico Gran Selezione ($100). Very smooth with black and purple fruits, some refreshing tartness and raspy tannins.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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