Region: Tuscany, Italy

Varietal: 30% Montepulciano, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 10% Marselan, and 10% Alicante

Producer: Montepeloso is a boutique estate in Suvereto (Maremma, Tuscany) founded by Fabio Chiarelotto, who returned to his native region after years abroad. He has focused on reshaping the vineyard landscape through thoughtful viticulture — retraining vines, rejuvenating plantings, and often working biodynamically. A Quo is the entry-level red in the lineup, but it consistently punches above its weight: a blend built with both generosity and structure, showcasing the estate’s ambition to offer elegant, terroir-driven wines even at more accessible price points.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The grapes for A Quo come from younger vineyard blocks on Montepeloso’s hillsides, at modest elevations (around 50-100 m) with limestone-rich, slightly silty clay soils. The vines are managed for low yields (≤ 40 hl/ha), hand-harvested, and fermented fully destemmed. The wine is matured for ~12 months in second-passage French barriques, balancing freshness with density and subtle oak integration.

Tasting Notes: The 2023 A Quo greets with a rich ruby hue, followed by aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and dark cherry, underscored by warm spices and a hint of cedar. On the palate it’s medium-bodied but firmly structured, showing juicy dark fruit layered with tobacco, black pepper, and fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps the finish lively, while a mineral undertone adds focus and length. It’s approachable now but has the backbone to age gracefully for several years.