Monte Antico: ancient mountain in Italian. In the world of fine wines, a unique combination of quality, reliability and value since 1977. The label belongs to Neil & Maria Empson, who launched the Super Tuscan five years after founding the Neil Empson Selections.

It was their special affinity to the heartland of Italy that led them to make their very own mark on Tuscan soil: with the Maestro of Italian winemakers, Franco Bernabei, they have styled the Tuscan grape per eccellenza and expressed its ultimate potential, complementing it with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The initial nucleus for the brand was in Maremma, well before the region became fashionable. In time, it expanded to some 50 of Tuscany's best vineyard sites both in Maremma (Scansano, particularly for the Merlot and Cabernet) and in Colline Pisane and Colli Fiorentini, as well as the most recent additions, a few areas in Chianti. Total surface today is around 200 hectares under vine, i.e. 494 acres, yielding 60 hl./ha. for an average yearly production of 1,200,000 bottles.

Soil type goes from compact, very fine-textured limestone at 1,300-1,500 feet above sea level; to classic, clayey/calcareous, rocky galestro, also at altitudes around 1,300 feet; and clayey/siliceous/calcareous soil, at an altitude of 820-990 feet. The finest selections are cherry-picked according to harvest conditions in the individual zones and microclimates. This balanced orchestration of geological diversity makes for the wine's consistent excellence, justly praised by the likes of Robert Parker (“A consistently well-made offering”, and “one of Italy's better values”), Wine Spectator (“Delicious”; “Best Value” and 90 points for the 2006 vintage), the Washington Post (“This wine keeps getting better with every vintage”), etc.

Another secret to Monte Antico's clearly defined, coherent style is its makers' loyalty to toscanità, terroir and tradition. For the past thirty-five years, Neil and Franco have been in perfect agreement: they would have Monte Antico speak the velvety, berry and violet accents of its homeland all over the world, with no concessions to fashion or momentary trends, and no slackening of the original standards. Not quantity over quality but quality on a grand scale – enjoyable by as many as possible thanks to the democratic price tag!

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