Region: Tuscany, Italy (Chianti Classico DOCG)
Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino
Body: Medium
Notes: Sour red cherries, wild raspberries, balsamic reduction, violet petals, wet tilled earth, with vibrant alpine acidity and a rustic, grainy tannin backbone
Pairing: Roast chicken with rosemary gravy, wild boar ragù, grilled Tuscan rib-eye, wood-fired mushroom pizza, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Montesecondo is a deeply authoritative, pioneering natural estate situated in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, at the cooler northern edge of the historic Chianti Classico zone. Founded by Silvio Messana—who famously left a career in New York City to reclaim his family’s sun-drenched Tuscan land—the estate has been a champion of raw, unmanipulated regional wines since its first bottled vintage in 2000. Montesecondo manages roughly 12 hectares split between two highly contrasting terroirs: the original home vineyard in Cerbaia features flatter, lower-altitude terrain with heavy clay soils that yield rich power, while their parcel up in the village of Vignano sits at a lofty 500 meters, anchored in cool, hilly limestone that injects laser-sharp acidity. Fully certified organic and biodynamic, Silvio rejects industrial shortcuts, managing his lands with biodiversity at the forefront and guiding his cellar with a strict minimal-intervention philosophy.
The Wine
The 2022 Chianti Classico is a beautifully structured, unapologetically old-school red blend engineered to mirror classic Tuscan tradition over modern commercial gloss. Marrying the intense sun of the 2022 growing season with the signature translucent energy of the estate, the fruit combines 90% Sangiovese with co-planted 10% blocks of native Canaiolo and Colorino. The hand-harvested clusters are mostly destemmed, though Silvio includes up to 30% whole-cluster fruit in the vat to impart structural spine and aromatic lift. Fermentation sets off completely spontaneously with native wild yeasts in concrete tanks without any sulfur additions. To prioritize varietal purity and avoid woody maskings, the wine is aged for roughly 1 to 1.5 years primarily in concrete vats alongside a portion in medium-sized neutral oak barrels. Bottled without fining or mechanical filtration and with incredibly low total sulfur (around 28 mg/L), this highly scannable 2022 vintage is powerful, beautifully reticent, and gastronomic; it balances high-toned red berry and floral perfumes with a distinctly savory, earthy undercurrent and firm, grainy tannins that crave a seat at the dinner table.
Region: Tuscany, Italy (Chianti Classico DOCG)
Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and Colorino
Body: Medium
Notes: Sour red cherries, wild raspberries, balsamic reduction, violet petals, wet tilled earth, with vibrant alpine acidity and a rustic, grainy tannin backbone
Pairing: Roast chicken with rosemary gravy, wild boar ragù, grilled Tuscan rib-eye, wood-fired mushroom pizza, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Montesecondo is a deeply authoritative, pioneering natural estate situated in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, at the cooler northern edge of the historic Chianti Classico zone. Founded by Silvio Messana—who famously left a career in New York City to reclaim his family’s sun-drenched Tuscan land—the estate has been a champion of raw, unmanipulated regional wines since its first bottled vintage in 2000. Montesecondo manages roughly 12 hectares split between two highly contrasting terroirs: the original home vineyard in Cerbaia features flatter, lower-altitude terrain with heavy clay soils that yield rich power, while their parcel up in the village of Vignano sits at a lofty 500 meters, anchored in cool, hilly limestone that injects laser-sharp acidity. Fully certified organic and biodynamic, Silvio rejects industrial shortcuts, managing his lands with biodiversity at the forefront and guiding his cellar with a strict minimal-intervention philosophy.
The Wine
The 2022 Chianti Classico is a beautifully structured, unapologetically old-school red blend engineered to mirror classic Tuscan tradition over modern commercial gloss. Marrying the intense sun of the 2022 growing season with the signature translucent energy of the estate, the fruit combines 90% Sangiovese with co-planted 10% blocks of native Canaiolo and Colorino. The hand-harvested clusters are mostly destemmed, though Silvio includes up to 30% whole-cluster fruit in the vat to impart structural spine and aromatic lift. Fermentation sets off completely spontaneously with native wild yeasts in concrete tanks without any sulfur additions. To prioritize varietal purity and avoid woody maskings, the wine is aged for roughly 1 to 1.5 years primarily in concrete vats alongside a portion in medium-sized neutral oak barrels. Bottled without fining or mechanical filtration and with incredibly low total sulfur (around 28 mg/L), this highly scannable 2022 vintage is powerful, beautifully reticent, and gastronomic; it balances high-toned red berry and floral perfumes with a distinctly savory, earthy undercurrent and firm, grainy tannins that crave a seat at the dinner table.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.