2024 Montenidoli Canaiuolo Toscana Rosato

Elisabetta Fagiuoli is a true living legend of Tuscan wine. She planted her roots at the Montenidoli estate in 1965, at at time when Tuscany's historic vineyards were in a state of disrepair and quickly went to work bringing the estate to its former glory. Her efforts were quickly noticed, with the famous Italian wine critic and collector Luigi Veronelli giving her a shout in 1971. With now more than 50 vintages under her belt (let that sink in), Fagiuoli continues to reinvent her wines vintage by vintage, allowing each to show its character in truest form. When describing her wines, he doesn't speak of brix or phenolics, rather of the "sweaty man in the field" or the "lady of the house", as if these are her imagined ancestors or descendants. While all of her wines vary dramatically from vintage to vintage, it is perhaps her rosé, always made of pure canaiuolo instead of the more common sangiovese, that has us guessing upon its annual arrival in the spring. The 2024 is easily the lightest in color we can remember, now exhibiting the sort of onion skin color we expect of some Champagnes. It's in a beautiful place right now, full of fresh and dried herbs, subtle red fruit, and an unmistakeable Tuscan-ness. It's not asking for much to pair -- a simple plate of cheese and charcuterie will do.