Tenuta L'Impostino 'Viandante' Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva 2016 750ml

Product Info

91pts Vinous Media
A rich blend of rubbed sage, cherry sauce, smoky ashen stone and hints of mocha waft up from the 2016 Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva Viandante. Tart red berries and sour citrus nicely balance its silky textures. Zesty acids help ease the grippy tannins that mount toward the close. The 2016 Riserva Viandante finishes long and structured with bitter dark chocolate and silty mineral tones. Cellaring for another year or two is highly recommended here. Drinking Window 2024 – 2029 - By Eric Guido on October 2022

Terroir
Tenuta L’Impostino is located in Montecucco, a relatively small and often under-the-radar appellation situated between Montalcino and the Maremma in southern Tuscany. The estate’s vineyards are planted on gently sloping hills at elevations that provide excellent sun exposure while remaining tempered by cooling maritime influences from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. This interplay of warmth and freshness is key to Montecucco’s ability to produce structured yet balanced expressions of Sangiovese.

The soils in the Viandante vineyard are composed primarily of galestro, clay, and limestone, offering both water retention and mineral tension. These soils encourage deep root systems and naturally moderate vine vigor, contributing to concentration and aromatic clarity. The 2016 vintage, widely regarded as outstanding across Tuscany, delivered an ideal growing season with steady ripening and excellent diurnal shifts, resulting in fruit of exceptional balance, structure, and aging potential.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
“Viandante” is produced from 100% Sangiovese, sourced from the estate’s best parcels and harvested by hand at full phenolic maturity. Fermentation is carried out with careful temperature control to preserve varietal purity while extracting sufficient structure for long-term aging. Extended maceration allows for the development of tannin and complexity without sacrificing elegance.

The wine is aged for an extended period in oak barrels, typically a combination of larger-format casks and smaller barrels, followed by additional bottle aging prior to release. This élevage regimen is designed to refine tannins, integrate oak influence, and allow the wine’s savory and mineral components to fully emerge. As a Riserva, Viandante represents the estate’s most ambitious and age-worthy expression of Sangiovese.

Tasting Notes
The 2016 Viandante opens with a complex and layered bouquet of black cherry, sour cherry, and dried red berries, accented by notes of leather, tobacco, and warm earth. Subtle hints of balsamic herbs, cedar, and spice add depth, while a mineral undertone speaks clearly to its Tuscan origins.

On the palate, the wine is structured and authoritative, yet remarkably poised. Firm, finely textured tannins frame a core of ripe red and dark fruit, supported by lively acidity that keeps the wine lifted and precise. The mid-palate shows savory nuances of dried herbs, forest floor, and iron-rich minerality, lending complexity and balance. Despite its power, the wine remains elegant and controlled, with no excess weight.

The finish is long and persistent, revealing layers of spice, dried cherry, and earthy minerality that linger well after the wine has left the glass.

Food Pairing & Service
Tenuta L’Impostino “Viandante” Montecucco Sangiovese Riserva 2016 is a natural partner for robust, slow-cooked dishes that echo its structure and depth. Traditional Tuscan fare such as braised beef, wild boar ragù, or roasted lamb with rosemary allows the wine’s tannins to soften while drawing out its savory complexity. Dishes featuring tomatoes, herbs, and olive oil—hallmarks of central Italian cuisine—highlight the wine’s acidity and balance.

Game meats such as venison or duck, particularly when prepared with earthy accompaniments like mushrooms or polenta, pair beautifully with the wine’s layered aromatics. Aged cheeses, including Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano Reggiano, provide a rewarding contrast to the wine’s firm structure and mineral edge.

Serve at 60–64°F (16–18°C) and consider decanting for one to two hours to allow the wine to fully open, especially when enjoyed in its youth. While drinking well now, this Riserva has the structure and balance to evolve gracefully over the next 10–15 years, developing additional tertiary complexity with time.