Monte Bernardi Retromarcia 2024 Chianti Classico

Grape: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2024
Type: Red

Retromarcia, meaning reverse gear in Italian, is Michael Schmelcer’s calling card and homage to how Chianti traditionally used to taste. Biodynamic farming in Panzano, Michael focuses solely on Sangiovese to give his Classico a lean frame with clean cherry fruit, little smoke, earth, and freshness. Fresh, fun, juicy, light, candied cherry, tarragon, smooth, easy finish. Very drinkable and versatile. A benchmark everyday Chianti Classico. Michael’s cellar philosophy: a deliberate step away from the heavily extracted, heavily oak-influenced, techno-driven styles that dominated Tuscany in the 1990s and 2000s. Michael uses no modern additives, enzymes, or technological manipulations. The wines are fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Michael picks based on flavor and acid balance rather than sugar density. As a result, his wines are athletic, savory, they trade brute power for longevity and transparency.