Monte Antico's Toscana 2009 has a high grape aroma that is apparent upon first pour. The color is a dark maroon red which indicates its hardiness and ideal winter selection. Tears are large and medium paced that represents its medium body. Oxidization on the glass is apparent that smoothed out the taste. It is fruity by nature and full of ripe grape flavor. There is a light level of acidity and tannin aftertaste.
Monte Antico’s Toscana 2009 is a red wine blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. It is an Italian import from the Toscana region. According to Wine-Searcher.com it was the 1199th popular wine on their site. It was given a rank of 87 and is considered a strong buy.
The wine comes from the Maremma, Colline Pisane and Colli Fiorentini regions of Tuscany. The area’s history is recorded back to the 8th century B.C. Etruscans who used to sharecrop with local aristocracy. Half of their grapes were made into wine and exported to Florence. The region primarily worked in guilds to control the market mechanisms.
The wine is aged in French oak barrels and another six months in the bottle that impacts its darker and more ripe consistency. The oak barrels not only give a slight vanilla taste but also reduce harsh tannins. When possible it is beneficial to seek out wines that have been aged properly within such barrels because they increase the wines quality.
Wine Poem: Come Now Monarch of the Vine by William
Shakespeare
Come, thou monarch of the vine,
Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne
Plumpy Bacchus with pink eyne
In thy fats our cares be drown’d,
With thy grapes our hairs be crown’d!
Cup us till the world go round,
Cup us till the world go round!
With thy grapes our hairs be crown’d!
Cup us till the world go round,
Cup us till the world go round!
