The 2010 Chardonnay is fermented in egg-shaped concrete tanks and 30% of the wine sees new French oak. There’s a toasted note of baked bread or almond that sets off the complex bouquet. Aromas later open to peach, apricot, exotic fruit, honeysuckle, vanilla and spice. This is a sophisticated and impeccable wine with the pedigree of an important, oak-aged Chardonnay from the New World. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. We’ve all heard the story before: Wealthy businessman falls in love with fine wine and sets out to make an icon wine of his own. Founded by German-born Swiss entrepreneur Georg Weber, Monteverro is the kind of estate you’d expect to find in Napa Valley where big money regularly rolls into town. Michel Rolland is a consultant and the underground barrel room is colossal, both in terms of investment and aspiration. Here’s the catch: Mr. Weber did not choose Napa. Instead, he settled on the trendy beach town of Capalbio in southern Tuscany that is known for many things, but not wine. Showing a level of moxie so high it touches peaks of brilliance and insanity, he planted his winemaking flag here. Given the excellent results, I can only say “chapeau.” Importer: Opici Wines , www.opiciwines.com