Description
The 2021 Monte Tondo “Campo Grande” is a distinguished red wine from the Veneto region, representing the bridge between the fresh vivacity of Valpolicella and the muscular depth of Amarone.
Produced by the Magnabosco family, this Ripasso is crafted from the “Campo Grande” vineyard in Campiano, where the limestone-rich soils provide a structural elegance that balances the wine’s natural concentration.
This vintage is particularly notable for its “joyous drinkability,” a characteristic of the 2021 growing season which allowed for excellent phenolic ripeness without sacrificing freshness.
The Craft: The Ripasso Technique
The wine undergoes a traditional two-step fermentation process that defines the Ripasso style:
The First Pass: Initial fermentation of the fresh grapes (Corvina and Rondinella) occurs in October.
The “Ripasso” (The Second Pass): In January, the wine is “re-passed” over the unpressed, warm skins (pomace) of Amarone. This initiates a second fermentation of 8–12 days at 20–25°C, which infuses the wine with additional body, color, and complex alcohol.
Maturation: To ensure integration, the wine is aged for 18 months in used barriques, followed by a further 8 months of bottle aging before release.
The Appearance: Deep, brilliant ruby red bordering on garnet.
The Nose: Intense and multi-layered. It leads with sour black cherries and jammy strawberries, evolving into complex notes of dried flowers, sweet tobacco, and a touch of minty freshness.
The Palate: Smooth and “captivating.” The mid-palate is full-bodied and velvety, showing flavors of plum, dark chocolate, and cloves. The tannins are well-integrated, providing a firm but silky “grip.”
The Finish: Elegant and persistent, with a lingering echo of dried fruit and alpine air.
Producer Profile
The Soul of Soave Classico
Monte Tondo is a premier family estate located in the heart of the Soave Classico zone in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. For three generations, the Magnabosco family has cultivated their vines on the steep, volcanic slopes of the Monte Tondo hill, overlooking the medieval town of Soave.
Today, under the expert direction of Gino Magnabosco and his daughter Marta, the winery has become a global benchmark for Garganega, the noble grape of the region. Their mission is simple: to produce wines of profound mineral tension and aromatic purity that challenge the world’s finest whites.
The Terroir: Volcanic and Limestone Heights
The identity of Monte Tondo is defined by its extraordinary soils. While many Soave wines are produced on the flat plains, Monte Tondo’s vineyards are situated exclusively in the “Classico” zone, where the steep hillsides consist of ancient basalt and tuff.
- Mineral Character: This mineral-rich volcanic earth imparts the wine’s signature “smoky” or flinty character and its remarkable ability to age.
- Meticulous Farming: The family practices intensive canopy management and hand-harvesting, ensuring that only grapes rich in volcanic energy and natural acidity reach the cellar.
The Craft: Crystalline Precision
In the cellar, Monte Tondo strikes a balance between traditional wisdom and modern precision, focusing on the delicate, floral essence of the Garganega grape.
- Stainless Steel Fermentation: Most cuvées are fermented in temperature-controlled steel to maintain a “crystalline” freshness and vibrant citrus profile.
- “Sur Lie” Aging: A key hallmark of the Monte Tondo style is extended aging on the yeast (lees), which adds a sophisticated weight and savory complexity to the mid-palate.
- Prestige Selections: Top-tier wines like the Casette Foscarin undergo fermentation in large oak casks to develop a creamy, honeyed texture and notes of toasted almond.
A “Grand Cru” Caliber Producer
Today, Monte Tondo is celebrated by critics as a “Grand Cru” level producer of Italian white wine.
While famous for their white wines, the family also produces structured Valpolicella and Amarone reds from their vineyards in nearby Colognola ai Colli, reflecting a deep respect for the broader Veronese landscape.
Tasting Notes
James Suckling 91
"Attractive aromas of spiced cherries, dried flowers, and a touch of sweet tobacco. It s medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a crisp, clean finish. Very well-balanced and approachable now, but with the structure to age for another 3-5 years. A very honest expression of the Ripasso method." [James Suckling, 01/04/2024]
