Vecchie Terre di Montefili’s 2021 Chianti Classico is a 100% Sangiovese from the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico zone, bottled at 14% alcohol. The estate sits on a high, sunlit ridge, with vineyards that “reach heights of 550 metres,” according to *Decanter*. The property’s oldest plantings date to 1975, and it has been in the Acuti family since 1979; today it’s run by Maria Acuti and Tommasso Paglione.

This 2021 “annata” is positioned as an estate introduction, but it is not treated casually in the cellar. *Decanter* notes it is made from “the estate’s younger vines averaging 25 years of age” and that it “ages in 30-hectolitre Slavonian oak casks,” a classic, restraint-minded maturation choice for Sangiovese.

In the glass, reviewers converge on a savory, darker-fruited profile with clear structure. James Suckling calls it “spiced and savory,” with “aromas of dark cherries, plums and hints of chocolate and licorice,” followed by a “long, mineral-laced finish.” Vinous is more expansive, describing “wild dark cherry, plum, incense, new leather and liquorice” and praising the wine’s depth and layering.

The strongest critical endorsement comes from Vinous: Antonio Galloni rates it 94 points and writes, “The 2021 Chianti Classico is a total knockout,” calling it “a gorgeous wine” and “a fabulous introduction to the range.” That is an excellent review for an appellation-level Chianti Classico.

On structure and near-term approachability, *Decanter* (90 points) emphasizes the wine’s current firmness: an “intensely balsamic nose” featuring “grilled sage and rosemary,” then a palate that is “tight and concentrated” with “vigorous, drying tannins.” Their practical conclusion is clear: “It demands more time – and some serious protein.” Suckling’s “drink or hold” advice suggests it can work now with the right meal, but will reward short- to mid-term cellaring.