MONTE BERNARDI - IN THE PRESS


2008 RETROMARCIA 16.5 pts (20 pt scale)
Drink 2010-2014. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot. Cask sample (13.5%?).
Oenologist Michael Schmelzer. The second wine of Monte Bernardi. Medium deep, youthful ruby. Balsamic, spicy and savoury nose, somewhat closed on fruit at this stage. The palate makes more than up for this with lifted, succulent cherry fruit and crunchy tannins. Refreshing and elegant. New School, which should not suffer from giving up on the Merlot content. (Walter Speller)
2007 MONTE BERNARDI CHIANTI CLASSICO 17.5 pts (20 pt scale)
Drink 2010-2015. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo.
Oenologist Michael Schmelzer. Deep ruby with just the beginning of age on the rim. Very refined, perfumed nose, with amazing depth. Very poised. Very fine, gentle softly fruity palate too, framed by grainy tannins. Impressive in its elegance and with lots of potential. Sangiovese at its best. 13.5% (Walter Speller)

17-18.5 pts = outstanding wine of great beauty and articulacy
14.5-16.5 pts = very good wine, with some outstanding features
Monte Bernardi Chianti - a renaissance
Tuscany is, of course, renaissance territory and, when I visited Monte Bernardi in 2005, the vineyards and winery were undergoing a slow but sure renovation. Purchased by the Schelmzer family in 2003, the estate had in fact only been making wine since 1992.
Read more:





Ergebnisse - Europacup:

Floh Wein-Europacup: Jennifer Schmelzer im Interview

Europacup: Italien vs. Österreich vs. Slowakei - Fotos vom Europacup-Abend:

2009 Japan Wine Challenge Results

Az. Agr. Montebernardi S.S - Sa'etta Chianti Classico 2006
Seal of Approval
Az. Agr. Montebernardi S.S - TZINGANA 2006
Bronze Medal



Un giorno a tappe in Chianti Classico:
Jennifer and Michael - Monte Bernardi

Villa Bernardi

tél: 055 852 305, www.villabernardi.com

Cinq chambres, quatre cheminées sur autant de niveaux,cette riche demeure en promontoire, privatisable pour la bagatelle de 7000 euros
la semaine. De l'agritourisme grand style.

squaremeal.co.uk

The new Face of Chianti

A project launched in the late 1980s has transformed the way grapes are grown in the Chianti Classico region and, as Simon Woods finds, the wines are now reaping the benefits.

Producers to look out for;
Castell'in Villa, Castello di Ama, Castello di Bossi, Castello di Brolio, Castello dei Rampolla, Felsina, Fonterutoli, Fontodi, Isole e Olena, Molino di Grace, Monte Bernardi, Querciabella, San Giusto a Rentennano.

Editorial feature from Square Meal Lifestyle Magazine Spring 2009


Letters 05.09

from May 2009
Reader's find: Italy

Five years ago, my husband and I discovered a magical place in Tuscany:
Villa Bernardi

WEINGUT MONTEBERNARDI

Ein Traum zum Genießen


AS CITED on page 217:

Best Producers - Chianti Classico:
Monte Bernardi

Best Producers - Supertuscan Sangiovese Blends:
Monte Bernardi

Recommended Wines to Try - 20 Classic Tuscan Reds
(from Sangiovese and Other Tuscan Varieties):
SA'ETTA

2007 RETROMARCIA
CHIANTI CLASSICO 		16.0 pts (20 pt scale)
Medium deep with violet reflexes in very small rim. Earthy, balsamic fruit with black bread notes and a touch of vanilla pod. Elegant fruit palate with very good balance. Lingering sweet fruit and acidity with enough complexity to keep it interesting. Appetising. 13%
Drink 2009-12 --- Walter Speller

As quoted from "Chianti Classicos 2007"
2006 MONTE BERNARDI
CHIANTI CLASSICO 		16.5 pts (20 pt scale)
Quite deep dark crimson. Sweet, almost confected fruit impression. Seems almost a touch VA. Lovely ripe fruit matched by lively acidity, with only a hint of vanilla. Sweet fruit finish, which again is lifted by acidity. Powdery tannins. This will make a great dinner companion. 14%
Drink 2009-14 --- Walter Speller

As quoted from "A Host of 2006 Tuscans"

14.5-16.5 pts = very good wine, with some outstanding features

2006 MONTE BERNARDI CHIANTI CLASSICO 4.35 pts (5 pt scale)
Concentrated, deep forest aromas. Strong structure but soft and long after taste.

As quoted by Slavomir Cirovic from , "Wine Route - Collezione Chianti Classico 2009"

4.0 - 4.5 = Outstanding wine. Complex wine, well balanced, strong in character.

From WALTER SPELLER's daily archive :

THE 2006 VINTAGE IN CHIANTI CLASSICO
FACE TO FACE WITH TERROIR
VINO AL VINO
BREWING UP FOR THE VINEYARD

Sep 30th, 2007
Sep 29th, 2007
Sep 17th, 2007
Jun 17th, 2007


Wines of The Times, Eric Asimov,
February 20, 2008
Chianti Steps Out of Its Straw Skirt
Wines of the Times:
February 19, 2008
'04 and '05 Chianti Classicos


2006     MONTE BERNARDI ROSÉ
This is the first time that this Chiantigiana Estate, run by the skilled Schmelzer siblings, has been presented in this guide. This Rosé is a precious example of elegance and drinkability. Made from the traditional varieties of Chianti Classico: Sangiovese with the addition of Malvasia and Canaiolo and selected from the vineyards in the freshest and most shaded areas of the property. The result is a glass dressed in bright rose with fruit aromas of cherry and strawberry. Well balanced and supported by a refreshing acidity on the finish and pleasantness.
Versione Italiana      Deutsche Version

2004     MONTE BERNARDI Chianti Classico A Decanter
Recommended Wine
...this is a wine of charm, ripe tannin and fine balance.

Attractively understated. Floral nose, cherry fruit. Intense, spicy and lively, with a silky texture and delicate finish.
Drink now - 2014.

From Stephen Brook's article:
"Meet the Purists / Classico! Tuscan Finest"

Other Decanter Articles featuring Monte Bernardi:
"En Primeur: could Chianti take over from the Médoc?"


2005     TZINGANA         90pts
Leuchtendes, intensives Rubinviolett; sehr klare Nase mit ausgeprägt fruchtigen Noten, nach Cassis, etwas Zwetschken; am Gaumen sehr geschmeidig, mit feinkörnigem Tannin, süßer Kern, zeigt zur Konzentration auch schöne Eleganz, rund und ausgewogen.
2004     TZINGANA         92pts
Sattes, undurchdringliches Rubinviolett; dicht angelegte Nase mit intensiven Noten nach Lakritze und Teer, dahinter etwas Brombeere und Cassis; kompakt in Ansatz und Verlauf, zeigt sehr klar herausgearbeitete dunkelbeerige Frucht, griffiges, gut eingebundenes Tannin, die Säure gibt dem Wein Frische.
2004      SA'ETTA Chianti Classico         89pts
Funkelndes, sattes Rubin; zunächst leicht verhangene Nase, dann viel charmante Kirschfrucht; sehr saftig in Ansatz und Verlauf, zeigt sich mit viel feinkörnigem Tannin, klar und lange anhaltend.

2005 MONTE BERNARDI ROSÉ 16,5 / 20
2004 MONTE BERNARDI CHIANTI CLASSICO 16,5 / 20
2004 SA'ETTA Chianti Classico 18,0 / 20
2004 TZINGANA 18,5 / 20
W i n e a r t

(Japanese wine magazine)
Article featured in WINEART N39,
JULY 2007 issue

ENGLISH - - - - ITALIANO
Tasting Notes: Tuscan IGT 2001s
2001     SA'ETTA         22.0 pts     (25 pt scale; 21-22 - exceptionally fine)
A superb IGT. A lively, fresh, elegant nose with vibrant red berried fruits, mocha and orange zest. Good definition, refined, The palate is well-balanced, fresh and crisp. Very natural and elegant. Great poise and breeding with a pure, clean finish. Superb wine.

Wines of the Year 2005 - Memorable Wines of 2005 - ITALY:
Flaccianello 1999 - Tenuta Fontodi
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1955 - Biondi Santi
Percalo 2001 - San Giusto a Rentennano
Sa'etta 2001 - Monte Bernardi
Chianti Classico 2001 - Castello di Ama

2001 SA'ETTA 17.5 pts (20 pt scale)
Quite evolved nose. Quite a light colour. Light and lively and very gentle. Quite distinctive. Fresh and a good drink.

As quoted from Jancis Robinson, "Fine Wines Among Tuscany's 2001s"

17-18.5 pts = outstanding wine of great beauty and articulacy

Tuscany trip
I met brother and sister Michael and Jennifer Schmelzer earlier this year at a couple of tastings. They invited me to visit them at Monte Bernardi, their well-situated estate in the "Conca d'Oro" (golden bowl) of Panzano - one of Chianti Classico's hot spots. Michael, the winemaker, made the 2003 vintage in conjunction with the previous owner, Stak Aivaliotis. Since 2004, the wines have been solely down to Michael, whose non-interventionist instincts are leading him to reign back on oak and pursue biodynamic techniques in the vineyard - all to good effect based on the fruit purity, freshness and mineral undertones of barrel samples of the 2004 vintage!
Here are some highlights:

1999     CHIANTI CLASSICO (PARIS)
1999     SA'ETTA
1999     TZINGANA 		90 pts
91+pts
90 pts

1997     CHIANTI CLASSICO (PARIS)
1997     SA'ETTA
1997     TZINGANA 		90 pts
90+pts
92 pts

1997     TZINGANA (equivalent to 90-99/100)


2001    TZINGANA         90 pts
Tzingana: ripe berry, vanilla and spice aromas follow through to a medium to full-bodied palate, with firm, silky tannins. Promising, but tight now. Best after 2005.

Bordeaux blends - the top five wines of Tuscany
2001 		(order does not reflect preference)
Cappezzana, Carmignano Ghiaie della Furba
Il Terriccio, Castellina Marittima Lupicaia
Monte Bernardi, Panzano Tzingana
Tenuta di Trinoro, Sarteano Trinoro
Tua Rita, Suvereto Giusto di Notri


1999     TZINGANA         92pts
Sehr sattes, undurchdringliches Rubin-Violett; zu Beginn leicht verhangen, klärt sich dann, fette Frucht, Gewürznelken; salzig im Verlauf, funkelt am Gaumen, sehr gute Dichte, weich und geschmeidig, schokoladiges Finale.
1999     SA'ETTA         89pts
Sattes, funkelndes Rubin-Violett; ansprechende, intensive Nase, nach feinen Röstnoten, etwas Rauch, Macchia und viel Brombeerfrucht; im Ansatz satte Frucht, entwickelt im mittleren Verlauf aber recht derbe, auszehrende Tannine, braucht noch viel Zeit, gutes Potenzial.
1999      CHIANTI CLASSICO (PARIS)         91pts
Sattes Rubin-Violett; kompakte Nase, nach Minze und ein Hauch Schokolade, fleischige dunkle Kirschfrucht; sehr rund und ausgewogen in Ansatz und Verlauf, süße, konzentrierte Frucht, warm, feinkörniges Tannin.

The Wine (Written/published by Clive Coates)

It is startling to think that Stak Aivaliotis' first vintage at the 5.5 hectare Monte Bernardi estate was as recently as 1992. In a very short space of time he has established the estate as one of Chianti's superstars. The crop is deliberately reduced (less than 20hl/ha in 1999) and now that he is bottling early, the wines have even more elegance and intensity. The 1999's are the best that he has ever made. Bravo!

Raeburn Fine Wines
Shippers, Wholesalers and Retailers of fine wine.

Monte Bernardi . . .
This is an up and coming estate making some of the best wine in Chianti and the whole of Tuscany. These wines have remarkable intensity and structure from old vines and very low yields.
Monte Bernardi . . .
This is a dedicated estate worth following for its commitment to low yields, late-picking and, in general, the highest possible quality. It does this without losing sight of the uniquely Italian character of its wines and also the character of its wonderful "terroir".

W i n e a r t
(Japanese wine magazine) 		1997     Tzingana
1996     Sa'Etta 		95 pts/100
91 pts/100.

Via Chiantigiana, Km 33.V, 50020 PANZANO in CHIANTI   •   +39 055 852 400 /305   •   mb@montebernardi.com

Az. Agr. Montebernardi, Via San Leolino, 68, 50020 Panzano in Chianti (FI), Italia, C.F./P.IVA 05374220480