The 2018 Le Pergole Torte is dense, creamy and nuanced from the very first taste. Red/purplish berry fruit, spice, rose petal and a touch of new French oak all build as the Pergole Torte opens with aeration. As always, Pergole shows that extra touch of richness from the selection of fruit used here, with that added texture from French oak. As appealing as the 2018 is today, it is of course a very young wine that will need years to be at its very finest.

A pure expression of Sangiovese, the Montevertine 2018 Le Pergole Torte works hard in this vintage to preserve its most elegant and timeless style. There is a point of ripeness and a hint of extra cherry concentration that gives this wine beautiful intensity and verticality. The expressive bouquet incorporates mild touches of spice, earth, pressed rose and lavender bud. I'm putting a plus sign next to my score to underline the aging potential of this vintage. The tannins are shapely and fine, but they reveal tight youthfulness that will soften with more time in the bottle. Silky, supple tannins are a hallmark of Le Pergole Torte. This is a 29,000-bottle production.

Owner Martino Manetti describes the 2018 vintage as a truly Radda style, which means fierce acidity and reluctance of the wine to open up, while 2017 or the incoming 2019 vintages are more approachable. Full of restrained, reserved character, the high-flying aroma climbs with liquorice stick, pot-pourri and incense, while on the palate a restrained, crispy red cherry character emerges. The attack is firm yet graceful, the wine solid on the palate with great noble tannins, refreshing acidity and full body composing the tight-knit structure. Classic vintage.