Monte Antico 2006

I think we have a new house red.

I purchased a few bottles of Monte Antico 2006 Toscana last weekend and cracked one open last night. I've had several vintages of this wine and it has always been good, but for the $11 price this wine was a big step up from those other vintages.

There were tart cherries and plums and a little bit of Tuscan earth in the nose and that's exactly what you got in the taste. There was acid and fine, integrated tannin to balance everything out. We ate a small steak and a little pasta with the wine and it was even better with the food.

A little research showed that this wine is 75% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown in Tuscany. The same research revealed that it was on the Wine Spectator's list of the top 100 wines of 2009. Even the WS got this one right.

If you are looking for a delicious wine with some substance and character for a reasonable price you can stop your search.

Impressive wine for the price.