Like an “undiscovered” Tuscany, Umbria is one of the great secrets of Italy, and Lorenzo di Monaco makes one of the hidden gems of the region. It's his Rosso di Todi, and it drinks like a Brunello di Montalcino, but comes to you at less than $30.
I fully believe this is a 95-96 pointer, and I think it's one of the great Italian red wine values available in the US.
This is Sangiovese with some serious "meat on the bone," and Lorenzo's 2021 Rosso di Todi would give many Brunellos a serious run for their money. Deeply colored, packed with classic and soulful flavors of blackberry, black cherry, mint, sage, mocha, and violet, this packs some serious punch, and it's almost chewy on the palate.
It's also an incredible value at just $29.99/bottle (no further discounts).
It would run you $55 if you ordered it from Vivino -- click HERE for evidence!
Based in the medieval hilltop village of Collazzone, home to the newly-awarded DOC of Rosso di Todi, it is in this specific part of Umbria that Sangiovese thrives. Lorenzo tends his old Sangiovese vines with the utmost of care, farming without chemicals and hand-harvesting the grapes at optimal ripeness.
He then ferments with native yeasts and ages in 500 liter botti (large oak casks) for 24 months. In the 2021 vintage, just 250 cases made their way to the US, and I bought every case my distributor had. I got into a bottle over the Thanksgiving weekend, and I was reminded of how complete this wine was.
It has multifaceted beauty combined with power and structure, and while it is certainly ripe and drinking great in its current state, it's got some serious cellar potential. Drink now with hearty meals or tuck a few bottles into your cellar and drink through 2035.
I honestly have no idea why it doesn't cost more, and I anticipate prices will go up dramatically in future vintages.
$29.99/bottle is the best price, we've got 84 bottles up for grabs, and this would make a great wine to enjoy with beef or lamb for Christmas dinner!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
