Podere Monastero Campanaio Toscana IGT
Intense ruby-red with a nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, ripe plum, and black cherry with tobacco, cedar, violet, leather, and sweet spice. On the palate its dark fruit is joined by licorice, tobacco, cocoa, herbs, and toasted spice. Podere Monastero is the boutique estate of winemaker Alessandro Cellai, located in Castellina in Chianti. Established around 2000, the tiny property was created with the specific goal of producing just two serious wines. Cellai's approach included extensive research into French clones and rootstocks specifically suited to the estate's terroir. Total vineyard holdings amount to only about seven acres.
Classification: IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)
Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Feature: Sustainable
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Appellation: Toscana
Grape Profile: Cabernet Sauvignon supplies blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, tobacco, graphite, and tannic backbone, while Merlot contributes plum, black cherry, chocolate, herbs, and a rounder, more velvety texture. The equal proportions make this a true partnership rather than Cabernet with Merlot simply acting as a softening component.
Region Profile: Tuscany is one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions, characterized by rolling hills, warm Mediterranean sunshine, and cooling influences from elevation and nearby seas. The region’s soils of galestro, clay, limestone, and marlcontribute complexity and structure to its wines.
Pair with: Rich dishes like grilled steak, roasted lamb, or braised short ribs. Italian cuisine like pasta with meat sauce, risotto, and aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino. Vegetarian dishes like truffle-infused pasta and mushroom risotto.
