2010 Pergole Torte
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Tasting notes
The 2010 Le Pergole Torte from Montevertine surveys the heavyweights in the flight from the likes of Costanti and Soldera and says, “Bring it on.” It elicits the word “wow” on the nose, equipped with breath-taking purity and killer delineation and focus, aromatics piled high with dark berry fruit, pinecones, cedar, a hint of Valrhona chocolate and punnets of freshly picked strawberry. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins, layers of black fruit mixed with white pepper and clove, harmonious and cerebral on the finish. This fabulous, multi-faceted Tuscan wine will give 20 or 30 years of drinking pleasure.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
It is impossible not to be completely smitten by the 2010 Le Pergole Torte. This is a huge wine but not in the way you might think. It is oversized in ambition, personality and purity but not in terms of mass or volume. Indeed, the wine is streamlined, tightly knit and zippy. It offers a complete picture of Sangiovese, with the purity of fruit flavors, the balsam herb and the crisp acidity that this Tuscan grape is celebrated for. Dried violets and wild roses also appear in supporting roles. The mouthfeel is characterized by a subtle sense of fullness and volume. This wine is at the start of a long aging road ahead.
Today, the 2010 Le Pergole Torte is lifted, gracious and quite inward, all of which suggest it has closed down significantly over the last few years. Crushed rose petals, sweet red berries, mint and white pepper all lift from the glass. The purity and textural brilliance here are both striking, but readers will have to wait a few years before the 2010 fully opens up.
All I can say is that the 2010 Le Pergole Torte is going to be fascinating to follow. It isn't as obvious as the 2006, 2007 or 2009, nor as reticent as the 2008, the 2010 is endowed with gorgeous symmetry, even if it reveals just the barest hint of its potential today. Over the last year, the 2010 has put on some weight, but remains shy and not in the mood to say much. The wine's inner perfume and silky tannins and exceptional balance suggest the 2010 will develop beautifully in the cellar. The 2010 Pergole Torte is exceptionally beautiful and polished, though not as obvious in style as some of the other great recent vintages. I can't think of too many other wines from Tuscany I would prefer to buy for cellaring than Le Pergole Torte.
About the producer
The legendary Montervertine estate was created by the Manetti family in 1967 and is best known for its iconic pure Sangiovese, Le Pergole Torte. Based in Chianti but with the wines labelled as IGT Toscana, these elegant wines are rightfully some of Tuscany and Italy’s most sought-after.