2015 Monteverro Vermentino Toscana IGT 750 ml

Stunning White from Michel Rolland and Jean Hoefliger

The 2015 Monteverro Vermentino Toscana IGT owes its class and beauty to the consultant winemaking partnership of world-famous oenologists Michel Rolland and Jean Hoefliger.  Nuanced pops of almond and fennel subdue bright fruity aromatics, leading to a fresh expression of crisp fruit and refreshing acidity. Captivating and delicious, just as you’d demand from this brilliant duo. James Suckling agrees — he scored the wine 92 points for its “fresh and textured style.”  

I was quite mindful of this when Jean opened the bottle during a lunch meeting at Charlie Palmer Steak, the flagship restaurant at the Hotel Archer in Napa. I didn’t doubt it would stand up to the yellowfin tuna tartare and lobster corn dogs we ordered, but would it stand up to their other collaborations like Michel Rolland Napa and AXR? One sip produced a resounding yes.

When Georg Weber established the Monteverro estate, he did so with the express desire of producing one of the world’s greatest wines. The estate boasts 67 prime acres of planted vines in southern Tuscany, near the coast at the foot of the picturesque village of Capalbio. Sharing similar soils and climate to Bolgheri, the vineyard is meticulously planted with the help of Lydia and Claude Bourguignon, the world’s foremost soil experts. Each plot is fastidiously managed separately and selectively hand-harvested.  

The philosophy in the winery follows that in the vineyard — something to be expected when Napa superstar Jean Hoefliger and legendary oenologist Michel Rolland are the consulting winemakers. Michel has an incredible talent for coaxing gorgeous flavors and svelte textures from the outstanding sites that he chooses to work with. Jean’s passionate and science-driven approach to winemaking pushes the sourced fruit to uncharted areas of complexity and depth.  

In a story headlined “Monteverro, A Story of Wine and Passion,” The World of Fine Wine perfectly nailed how well Georg’s vision is executed: “The right soil, the perfect work team, a great passion, a good deal of commitment and tenacity, and an ‘enlightened’ estate make Monteverro a reality of excellence.”