2017 Montepeloso A Quo

Italian red wine lovers, you don’t want to miss the 2017 Montepeloso A Quo. Rated 93 points by both Antonio Galloni and James Suckling, I think this is the best bottling of this wine I’ve ever encountered.

The ‘house blend’ from world renowned Italian estate Montepeloso and proprietor Fabio Chiareletto, A Quo is one of the great red wine values on the planet. One of the leading lights of the new wave of Tuscan winemakers, Chiarelotto eschews wine trends and DO guidelines to pursue his own vision. And his beautiful wines always express the true coastal Tuscan terroir of Maremma.

2017 Montepeloso A Quo 

93 points Vinous Media and James Suckling

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Fabio’s pure, elegant style has captured the hearts of wine lovers and wine critics alike. Antonio Galloni says of the A Quo, “The 2017 is fabulous. Dark, pliant and supple with tremendous fruit density. An infusion of succulent dark cherry, raspberry jam, rose petal and sweet spice runs through the A Quo, while bright acids and under-pinnings of tannin give shape and persistence. All I can say is wow!” And not to be outdone, James Suckling raved as well. “Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and minerals with a sandalwood and violet undertone. Medium to full body. Tight, polished tannins. The aftertaste is full of berries and hints of fresh herbs. Drink from 2021.”

We agree, the A Quo is always a knockout and the 2017 is even better than usual. In fact it was a very difficult vintage in Tuscany with frost and drought resulting in low crop yields. Faced with a small quantity of high quality fruit, Fabio decided to put all the grapes that would normally be reserved for his top cuvées into A Quo, which is usually his entry level wine. Thus, you’re getting juice that would normally go into his $100+ bottlings! And in case you’re wondering what A Quo means, it’s Latin for “from which” and this unique blend includes Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Grenache and Marselan (a cross of Cab and Grenache).

These warm climate-loving grapes are well-suited to the hotter weather and chalky gravel soils of southern, coastal Tuscany where the naturally lower yields result in more concentrated wines. And of course the obsessive Fabio tends his vines with great care. He farms biodynamically and organically, he harvests and sorts by hand, and he ferments with native yeasts. After fermentation, the wine is aged in 2nd and 3rd use French barriques and the wine is bottled without filtration. This is non-interventionist winemaking at its finest!

Robert Parker himself named Montepeloso a 5-star estate, saying “I was blown away by the intensity these wines possessed.” What else is there to say? This is powerful yet beautiful wine meticulously made by a master of the craft. Supplies are very limited so don’t think about it too long!