2018 Eneo

Located in the hills of Suvereto, near Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, Montepeloso is one of the region’s most respected wineries. In 1998 Fabio Chiarelotto, a Swiss-Italian, trained historian acquired the estate with the aim to bring out the best from the terroir-driven varietals.

Fabio grows Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, along with an impressive range of local varieties, including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Marselan (a new breed of Cabernet and Grenache Noir), Malvasia Nera and Alicante Bouschet. The Montepeloso vineyards are partly terraced and spread across gently undulating slopes. Gabbro is certainly the most renown of the vineyards with some of the vines dating back to the sixties.

Fabio practices organic viticulture and follows a strict grape selection with up to “three harvests” when necessary: one green, one to eliminate less than perfect grapes and finally the ‘real’ harvest. In the cellar, Fabio conducts relatively short macerations, fermentation with natural yeasts, ageing in oak barrels and he bottles without filtration.

This is Montepeloso's "grand vin". ENEO is a blend of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera and Alicante and is matured for 15 to 18 months in used French oak barrels and then for a further 18 months in the bottle. The exact percentage of grape varieties in the composition depends on the particular characteristics of the vintage. The nose is opulent and intense with a predominance of black fruits and spicy notes. The pronounced minerality is accompanied by toasted aromas of hardwood and spices. On the palate the texture is silky and well balanced.

The 2018 Eneo, Montepeloso’s Montepulciano-based blend, is redolent of crushed red berry fruit, licorice, blood orange, star anise and rose petal. Bright and gracious, with terrific purity, the Eneo beautifully captures the understated, nuanced style of the year. It is a bit more red-toned than I recall from barrel. This is so nicely done.

Antonio Galloni - 94 Points

James Suckling - 92 points

Robert Parker - 94 points