Montevertine grows glorious, high-altitude Sangiovese in Chianti Classico's rocky Radda district, the kind of wine that makes us wish we knew how to write sonnets or arias, or even a haiku. But we don't, so you'll have to deal with our prose.

Of course, Montevertine isn't technically a Chianti Classico; they abandoned the DOC 40 years ago to protest the requirement they dilute their Sangiovese with white grapes. Losing such an illustrious producer rocked Chianti—and the world of Italian wine. But today everyone knows they were right. The DOC dropped the rule, and Montevertine’s wines, bottled as lowly Toscana Rosso, have been sought after the world over ever since.

Montevertine's wines do what only our very favorite Chiantis can: they are purely, deliciously Chianti, but also perfect expressions of their limestone-soiled Radda subzone. And their new release of the "basic" Pian del Ciampolo and their mid-priced "Montevertine” prove it.

Montevertine Toscana IGT 2020 $99.99

Montevertine Toscana IGT Pian del Ciampolo 2021 $54.99