Monte Bernardi and neighbors!
Monte Bernardi and neighbors!
Whenever I look at a bottle of wine and look at the label, a plethora of questions arise. Who makes this wine, how do they farm, what's the philosophy behind the winemaking, and of course exactly how good is the wine? One further question arose whenever I saw the bottles of Monte Bernardi on the shelves, why do these sell out so fast?!? My curiosity lingered until only recently when the winemaker Michael Schmelzer came by the shop and tasted us on the line up did I get my answer.
For a little background for those who are unfamiliar, Michael and his family bought the Monte Bernardi estate Panzano back in 2003.Despite the name Monte Bernardi having been found in documents dating all the back to late eleventh century, the first estate bottled wines were only released in 1992. Monte Bernardi finds itself in Panzano, nestled in the larger Greve in Chianti region bordering with Castellina and Radda in Chianti. The soils here are regions famed shale called galestro along with calcareous sandstone (pietraforte) and some plots of limestone (alberese). Certain plots even have a type of pure sandstone called macigno.
When the Schmelzer family took over they elevated the estate's farming practices to incorporate biodynamic principles. In the vineyards they maintain cover crops, use cow manure as fertilizer for soil health, and only use minimal copper and sulfur when needed.
All vines are pruned and picked by hand. To kick off winemaking and cellar work, the grapes are lightly crushed, after being destemmed, into either stainless, concrete, or oak vessels. Wine is kept on the skins, before alcoholic fermentation, for up to 5 days. Natural primary fermentation lasts from 20 to 27 days and then secondary fermentation begins in oak. The final step before bottling is an elevage in oak or concrete, up to 30 months depending on the wine being made.
The entire line up of wines we tasted were incredible, from the flagship Chianti Classico Riserva (my favorite) with vines on average of 55 years, to the estate's crown jewel, the MB 1933. New to the shop is Tzingarella, a younger vine super tuscan made in the same spirit as Tzingana minus the petit verdot. During the tasting Michael spoke a lot about the current issues that winemakers are facing in the region. Tuscany is being pummeled by drought conditions what feels like a constant barrage from mother nature. This makes the decisions made in the vineyards even more important. Without healthy soils and a deep root system, most vines will be parched due to lack of access to water. This causes heightened growth in the grapes that lack complexity. Luckily we have Michael calling the shots at Monte Bernardi churning out delicious Chianti year after year.
The entire line up of wines we tasted were incredible, from the flagship Chianti Classico Riserva (my favorite) with vines on average of 55 years, to the estate's crown jewel, the MB 1933. New to the shop is Tzingarella, a younger vine super tuscan made in the same spirit as Tzingana minus the petit verdot. During the tasting Michael spoke a lot about the current issues that winemakers are facing in the region. Tuscany is being pummeled by drought conditions what feels like a constant barrage from mother nature. This makes the decisions made in the vineyards even more important. Without healthy soils and a deep root system, most vines will be parched due to lack of access to water. This causes heightened growth in the grapes that lack complexity. Luckily we have Michael calling the shots at Monte Bernardi churning out delicious Chianti year after year.
Unfortunately there is no Tzingana available at the moment and there was no Retromarcia made in 2023 due to hail and mildew pressure. Saetta will be returning soon, Keep your eye out in the near future for that!
Joining us today on this offer is Piemaggio Chianti Classico and Monteraponi Chianti Classico which are both beautiful representations of Castellina and Radda's unique terroir. Castellina making more structured wines balanced by great freshness through acid and Radda's style being a bit more sleek and perfumed. A testament to Sangiovese's ability to translate minute differences in microclimates.
Most wines are in stock, but please allow until Tuesday 3/18 for pick-up or shipping.
Monte Bernardi 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva
95% Sangiovese with 5% of Canaiolo Nero from estate vines in Panzano, Chianti. Vine age is on average 55 years old, the wine is fermented naturally in oak and stainless steel before aging 18-24 months in oak. The nose is...
$34.99
Monte Bernardi 2021 Chianti Classico MB 1933
A deep translucent ruby in the glass, the nose is intensely aromatic with thyme, oregano and wild herbs along with a subtle lift of mint. Cherry and red plum fruit mingle with an earthy vegetal sweetness reminiscent of ripe tomato...
$46.99
Monteraponi 2022 Chianti Classico
Importer's Notes on the wine: Sourced from the estate's youngest vineyards, around 15 year old vines. The vines are planted in soils that are full of calcareous stones, rich in marl and schist. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo. Fermentation takes place...
$32.99
Monte Bernardi 2022 Colli Della Toscana Centrale IGT Tzingarella
Tzingana's younger vine selections has finally made it onto the shelves at Chambers Street Wines! 40% Cabernet 40% Merlot 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Colorino. The nose whirls a blend of savory herbaceous notes of rosemary and thyme layered on...
$28.99
Piemaggio 2020 Chianti Classico "Le Fioraie"
From the importer Rosenthal's website: "A blend of 90% Sangiovese with 10% Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, and Colorino, Piemaggio’s flagship Chianti Classico ferments spontaneously in stainless steel during a 3 ½ week maceration, and spends two years aging in a combination of...
$29.99
